NAFDAC Finally Reopens Onitsha Drug Market after Weeks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reopened the Onitsha drug market, which was closed on February 10 to avoid confrontation with traders, following a thorough sanitisation operation.

The agency said it took the controversial measure to prevent potential clashes with traders while carrying out the operation to rid the market of counterfeit and banned medicines.

According to Dr. Martin Iluyomade, Director of Enugu Zone Zonal Operations, the closure was necessary to ensure a peaceful and effective operation.

“We had to close the market to avoid confrontation with traders, which would have compromised the suc- cess of the operation,” Iluyomade explained.

The sanitisation operation led to the discovery of alarming quantities of fake and counterfeit medicines, including over 50 trailers containing banned medicines dating back to 2007.

Iluyomade stated, “The recovery of large quantities of narcotics capable of destabilising any nation is a clear indication of the severity of the situation.”

As the market reopens, owners of approximately 4000 shops that were profiled and suspended must visit NAFDAC individually to clear themselves.

Iluyomade also highlighted the poor storage conditions that compromised the quality of genuine medicines in the market.

While the market had been reopened, owners of around 4000 shops that were profiled and suspended must visit NAFDAC individually to clear themselves.

The Director thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his support and commitment to building a standard drug market with proper storage conditions.

Mr Ndubuisi Chukwulota, Chairman of the Ogbo Ogwu Traders Association, expressed gratitude to NAFDAC for reopening the market and pledged to cooperate in eradicating fake drugs.

Dr Afam Obidike, Anambra’s Commissioner for Health, commended both NAFDAC and the traders for their cooperation.