As part of his efforts to standardize the drug market and eradicate fake and counterfeit drugs, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announced plans to construct a coordinated wholesale drug center in Oba, Idemili South LGA. The relocated and standardized Ogbo ogwu market, Onitsha's arguably largest open drug market, will be housed in the new center.
"As a government, we are already building a coordinated wholesale drug centre in Oba, Idemili South LGA, that will accommodate the new and standardised Ogbo ogwu market. This is our own contribution to ending the current chaotic market environment where fake and counterfeit drugs thrive.
"Onitsha remains the largest trading hub in Africa, we will further expand this status to a more befitting height," he said.
Onitsha's Ogbo ogwu and adjoining market were visited by Soludo, who learned that the nearby plumbing materials market had been shut down because of shops selling illegal drugs. The governor ordered an expedited search with the goal of reopening the market within ten days, according to a statement posted on his verified X handle on Saturday evening. Soludo, on the other hand, questioned how India's banned drugs were getting into the country through various ports and emphasized that the Federal Government needed to tighten control over the supply chain.
Soludo said: "I visited the Ọgbọ ogwu and adjoining market today in Onitsha. As the biggest open drug market in Africa, it is not surprising that Federal Agencies and regulatory bodies would, from time to time, visit the market to enforce standards and check the sale of fake, counterfeit, and controlled drugs in the market
"With drugs and related matters captured strictly on the exclusive list, my visit today was interventionist. First, I sought to ascertain why other markets close to the drug market in Onitsha were closed. Away from the media sensation created by a few political actors, the leadership of the Plumbing materials market, which was shut down alongside the drug market, confirmed to me that the discoveries made by the Regulators in some shops in the plumbing material market were both shocking and disturbing.
"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."
He added, "While we must rid our country of fake and counterfeit drugs, it is important for the Federal Government to tighten up the noose on the supply end of the value chain.
“I have directed that the search, which had commenced a few days ago, be expedited so that in less than 10 days from today, the traders at the Plumbing materials market can be allowed to reopen and commence their legitimate commercial activities."
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