The Pharmacists Affairs Group (PAG), yesterday, called on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to declare open drug markets (ODMS) a public health emergency.
It urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Bill, emphasising that the move was necessary to safeguard the health of citizens.
The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of the April edition of its Point Blank Dialogue, a platform for crucial discussions on the nation’s healthcare system, with the theme, “Circumventing the Impact of Open Drug Markets on Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.”
The speakers, including the past Chairman of the Pharmacists’ Society of Nigeria in Lagos State, Anthony Bola Oyawole; Chairman of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN), Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, and Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, decried the rise of open drug markets in the country.
They said: “Regulatory oversight over PPMVs has been historically inadequate, leading to the unchecked spread of substandard drugs. ODMs cost Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry over N200 billion annually (yearly) in lost revenue due to illicit sales.
“Research has shown that ODMs are responsible for a significant percentage of counterfeit drugs in the market, endangering public health. The closure of the Sabon-Gari Open Drug Market in Kano by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and NAFDAC serves as a model for successful interventions.
“Participants resolved to take the following actions, close open drug markets, fast-track establishment of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) in key states, and intensify enforcement against non-compliant markets.
“Strengthen Supply Chains: Prioritize local manufacturing and establish a blockchain-based tracking system to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
“Research has shown that ODMs are responsible for a significant percentage of counterfeit drugs in the market, endangering public health. The closure of the Sabon-Geri Open Drug Market in Kano by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and NAFDAC serves as a model for successful interventions.
“Resolutions and calls to action. During the dialogue, participants resolved to take the following actions. Close open drug markets: Fast-track the establishment of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) in key states and intensify enforcement against non-compliant markets.
“Strengthen Supply Chains: Prioritize local manufacturing and establish a blockchain-based tracking system to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.”
