Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has vowed to tackle the sale of counterfeit and controlled drugs in Onitsha’s Ọgbọ Ogwu market, the largest open drug market in Africa.
Soludo made this declaration on Sunday during a visit to the market and adjoining areas, where regulatory bodies have been cracking down on the distribution of fake and banned pharmaceuticals.
The governor’s visit followed the closure of several markets near the drug hub, including the Onitsha Plumbing Materials Market.
Soludo revealed that the closure was due to alarming discoveries made by federal regulators, who found cartons of counterfeit and globally banned drugs hidden within shops in the plumbing market.
“Right inside these shops were found cartons of counterfeit and controlled drugs, many of which had been banned globally. How these drugs, which have been banned globally and locally, are still being manufactured in India, pass through our various ports (sea and air), and find their way to our local drug markets remains a question only the relevant authorities can answer,” Soludo said.
While supporting the efforts of federal agencies in enforcing drug safety standards, Soludo stressed the need for the federal government to tighten control over the supply chain to prevent banned drugs from entering the country.
In response to the market closures, Soludo assured that the search operation would be expedited to allow traders at the Plumbing Materials Market to resume business within ten days. He also highlighted his administration’s commitment to ending the chaotic environment where counterfeit drugs thrive.
“We are already building a coordinated wholesale drug centre in Oba, Idemili South LGA, that will accommodate the new and standardized Ọgbọ Ogwu market. This is our contribution to ending the current chaotic market environment,” he stated.
Onitsha remains the largest trading hub in Africa, and Soludo expressed his administration’s vision to further expand and elevate the city’s status in legitimate commerce.
“May Anambra continue to win!” Soludo concluded.
