The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has reopened the Onitsha drug market on March 6, following a sanitisation operation that began on February 10.
Dr Martin Iluyomade, the Director of Enugu Zone Zonal Operations, announced this during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday between NAFDAC, Anambra State representatives, and the leadership of the Onitsha market.
Iluyomade explained that the reopening was not intended to punish neighbouring markets, such as the Plumbing, Wood, Science Progressive, and Surgical markets, which had also been affected during the operation. He noted that these markets had become major storage locations for medicine traders.
He said, “The discovery in the market was alarming, with the recovery of large quantities of narcotics capable of destabilising any nation.
“We found fake and counterfeit medicines in more than 50 trailers, along with banned medicines dating back to 2007.”
Despite reopening the market, NAFDAC stated that about 4,000 shop owners who were profiled and suspended would need to visit NAFDAC individually to clear themselves before resuming business.
Iluyomade also pointed out that poor storage conditions in the market had compromised the quality of genuine medicines, further stressing the need for proper drug handling.
He expressed appreciation to Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his support and commitment to constructing a standard drug market with proper storage facilities.
Mr Ndubuisi Chukwulota, the Chairman of the Ogbo Ogwu Traders Association, thanked NAFDAC for reopening the market and assured that traders would work with the agency to eliminate fake drugs.
Dr Afam Obidike, Anambra’s Commissioner for Health, praised both NAFDAC and the traders for their cooperation during the operation. He promised continued collaboration to keep the drug market clean and safe.
“We will keep working with NAFDAC and market leaders to ensure fake drugs have no place in our markets,” Obidike said.
