Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-02-29 12:35:25
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has emphasized the importance of relocating open drug markets to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) as a critical step towards sanitizing the system. This move was highlighted by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a news conference following the recent relocation of open drug markets in Kano to the CWC in Dangwauro area of the state. Similar relocations are also planned for open drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, aligning with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) recommended by the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform (PCPSR).
The PCPSR, established in 2003 to develop strategies for improving the drug distribution system in Nigeria, laid the foundation for the establishment of CWCs. Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the time, was instrumental in the creation of CWCs and fully supported the idea. The NDDG, a key strategy recommended by the PCPSR, mandated regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to oversee its implementation and ensure compliance by stakeholders in the drug distribution sector.
In a bid to enhance regulation and combat the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines (SF), NAFDAC and PCN were tasked with regulating the distribution and sale of drugs in the country. The establishment of CWCs in Kano marked a significant step towards proper drug distribution regulation, with both regulatory agencies having offices in the new CWCs.
Despite initial resistance from medicine dealers in Kano, efforts to relocate pharmaceutical businesses from open drug markets to CWCs have gained traction. A landmark judgment by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Kano Federal High Court supported the relocation, reinforcing the importance of better control and regulation of drug distribution to mitigate the prevalence of SFs. This move aligns with NAFDAC’s commitment to combating SFs as one of the pillars of its administration, leading to the attainment of Maturity Level 3 for both NAFDAC and PCN.
Prof. Adeyeye urged medicine dealers to view the transition to CWCs positively, emphasizing its role in safeguarding public health and continuing the fight against SF medicines. By removing SFs from circulation, not only will the health of Nigerians improve, but it will also have a positive impact on the economy.
In conclusion, the relocation of open drug markets to CWCs is a crucial step towards improving the regulation of drug distribution in Nigeria. The efforts by NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies highlight their commitment to combating the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines, ultimately contributing to a healthier population and a stronger economy.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
