The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Chapter, has urged the government to establish a proper drug distribution system to combat fake and unregistered drugs in the country.
The chapter’s chairman, Mr Tolulope Ajayi made the appeal on Thursday in Lagos during the association’s Annual General Meeting and Financial and Officers’ Report for 2024.
Ajayi said a proper drug distribution system could be achieved by establishing coordinated wholesale centres in different parts of the country.
He expressed the association’s support for the ongoing clampdown on fake, unregistered, and expired drugs by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The chairman stated that the creation of such centres would enable proper monitoring, storage, and regulation of drugs, safeguarding the health of Nigerians.
NAFDAC began enforcement operations on Feb. 10 at the Idumota open drug market, Lagos; Ariaria drug market in Aba; and Bridge Market in Onitsha.
According to NAFDAC, these markets distribute over 80 per cent of medications in the country, and the operation aims to eliminate falsified and unregistered drugs.
Ajayi said, “It is the government’s role to ensure a proper drug distribution system, and the only way to achieve this is by having a coordinated medicine centre in every state.
“Some issues should not be left to market forces. The government must take a stand, especially when public health is at stake.
“The discoveries made by NAFDAC in recent weeks are shocking. Open drug markets are vulnerable to adulterated pharmaceutical products that endanger Nigerians.
“We support the ongoing enforcement because we believe in ethics and professionalism. The government must strengthen NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to enhance their effectiveness.”
He attributed the rise in kidney disease and other health issues to fake medicines, stressing that drug sales and distribution should not be handled by non-professionals.
The pharmacist urged members to source pharmaceutical products only from dealers registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) to ensure public safety.
NAN
