After weeks of closure over the sale of fake and substandard drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has agreed to reopen the popular Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The decision came following sustained intervention by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, according to NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade.
Speaking after a meeting with state government officials and market leaders on Thursday, Iluyomade confirmed that the market would officially resume operations on Friday.
The reopening follows a signed agreement between NAFDAC, the Anambra State Government, and market leaders to ensure that only genuine and registered drugs are sold.
Iluyomade emphasized that the agency remains committed to preventing the circulation of counterfeit and expired drugs.
“During the enforcement exercise that lasted over three weeks, we uncovered 50 trailer loads of fake and expired drugs, a large volume of narcotics capable of destabilizing the country, and drugs banned since 2007,” he revealed.
He noted that while the market would be reopened, enforcement would continue, with 4,000 shops currently sealed for various violations. These shops will only reopen after proper profiling.
The confiscated fake and expired drugs are estimated to be worth no less than N1 trillion.
Iluyomade commended the market leadership for cooperating with NAFDAC during the operation and urged traders to adhere strictly to drug regulations.
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, speaking on behalf of Governor Soludo, appreciated NAFDAC’s efforts and urged traders to comply with the agreement to maintain the integrity of the market.
