NAFDAC reopens Onitsha Head Bridge drug market

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By Madu Obi

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, has announced the reopening of the Øgbø-Øgwu Market, Onitsha.

NAFDAC Regional Director, Dr. Martins Iluyemede, reopened the market after a meeting with officials of the Anambra State government and the traders.

Recall that the market had been closed since January due to NAFDAC’s discovery of suspected substandard drugs on display at some of the shops in the market.

At the meeting , the Special Adviser to the state government on Trade and Markets, Chief Everist Uba, commended NAFDAC officials for their dedication at ensuring that the medicine market met the required standards in the distribution of drugs.

He also expressed gratitude to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for expediting action on the sanitization process so as to allow the traders to resume their businesses.

“The government is committed to ensuring that our markets operate within global best practices, and we appreciate NAFDAC’s efforts in achieving this goal,” Uba said.

Addressing the gathering, NAFDAC Regional Director, Dr. Martins Iluyemede, praised Governor Soludo’s proactive approach to the issue, noting that the governor personally visited the market during its closure to assess the situation firsthand.

“We are here to ensure the safety of lives and the well-being of citizens. This process is not about targeting any particular group or ethnicity, but about upholding public health standards,” Iluyemede emphasized.

He further appreciated the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and security agencies, for their recognition of the exercise as a national security issue.

Iluyemede also expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for his commitment to construct a more conducive medicine market and warehouse that would meet all regulatory requirements. He, then, declared the Ogbogwu Market reopened for business.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike lauded NAFDAC and the state government for their unwavering dedication at ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products in the market.

He commended the leadership of Øgbø-Øgwu Market and other traders' union for their matured and cooperative approach during the process.

“Anyone dealing with pharmaceuticals must be thoroughly profiled. The government must know you because you are handling people’s lives,” Obidike stressed.

The Transition Chairman of the Market, Mr. Chukwuneta Ndubisi, expressed appreciation for the reopening of the market and assured that traders would comply with all regulatory conditions.

“We will continue to support NAFDAC to ensure that the market operates in line with the required safety and regulatory standards,” Ndubisi pledged.