NAFDAC, PCN renew commitment to eradicate open drug markets

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) have reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating open drug markets across the country, a persistent challenge in the regulation of the pharmaceutical sector.

During a joint media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and PCN Registrar Ibrahim Babashehu-Ahmed outlined their agencies’ ongoing efforts to combat the sale and distribution of substandard medicines, which pose significant public health risks.

Prof. Adeyeye described open drug markets as a longstanding issue that has hampered the effectiveness of regulatory agencies.

She pointed out that the disorderly drug distribution system, especially in key markets like Kano, Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, has contributed to the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines in circulation.

“The chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria and open drug markets have been a sore point for drug regulatory agencies, especially for NAFDAC,” Adeyeye remarked.

Adeyeye stressed that the relocation of the open drug market in Kano to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) had set an important precedent for the country.

The CWCs, designed as regulated environments for drug distribution, are seen as key to improving the oversight of pharmaceutical sales and ensuring the integrity of products.

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She pointed out that this move aligns with strategies developed over a decade ago by the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform (PCPSR), which recommended the creation of National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).

The NDDG, which outlines a framework for coordinating the drug distribution sector, mandates the relocation of open drug markets to CWCs. Despite initial resistance from drug dealers in these regions, who filed lawsuits to prevent their relocation, the Kano market’s move has now been legally mandated.

A landmark ruling by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Kano Federal High Court in February 2024 forced the relocation of open drug marketers in Kano, further solidifying the legal framework for regulating drug distribution in the country.

“This judgment is monumental because it marks a significant step toward regulating drug distribution and reducing the prevalence of substandard medicines,” said Babashehu-Ahmed, adding that it would improve control over pharmaceutical sales in the region.

The regulators emphasized the dangers posed by substandard and falsified medicines, which can lead to treatment failure and even death. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the critical importance of improving the drug distribution system to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.

“The consequence of this chaotic distribution is treatment failure or even death. To make Nigerians healthier and reduce mortality, NAFDAC and PCN must continue to fight against these issues,” she added.

Both NAFDAC and PCN have been actively working to reduce the prevalence of counterfeit drugs and mitigate their harmful effects. Babashehu-Ahmed highlighted that the PCN is responsible for regulating pharmacy practice sites, practitioners, and vendors in the open drug markets.

He emphasized that these markets had been a source of significant concern for public health, with many dealers operating without proper oversight.

Reflecting on his tenure since 2017, Babashehu-Ahmed noted that one of the key goals of his administration has been to combat substandard and falsified drugs.

He pointed to NAFDAC’s achievement of Maturity Level 3 under the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), which assesses the capacity of regulatory agencies.

This milestone signifies significant progress in strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory framework for medicines.