Ogbo-Ogwu Market Takes Stand Against Counterfeit Drugs, Hands ₦265m Fake Medicines To NAFDAC
In a country where counterfeit medicines continue to pose a serious threat to public health, the leadership of Ogbo-Ogwu Market in Onitsha has taken a decisive stand against the illicit trade.
The market leadership on Tuesday handed over fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products worth more than ₦265 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the Bridge Head market in Anambra State.
Chairman of the market, Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, said the consignment comprised expired, banned, unregistered and substandard drugs, some of which were confiscated last year, while others were seized during NAFDAC’s recent raid on the market.
He explained that the exercise is part of ongoing internal operations aimed at flushing out harmful medicines and protecting consumers.
Ndubuisi stressed that the market would not tolerate the sale of products capable of endangering lives, noting that task force members have been deployed across the market to monitor and apprehend dealers in fake drugs.
He disclosed that the crackdown has led to a noticeable reduction in counterfeit drugs, despite threats and attacks from criminal elements seeking to undermine the effort.
Receiving the items, the Anambra State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Pharm Louis Madubuattah, confirmed that over 400 cartons of assorted pharmaceutical products were handed over and would be stored pending destruction in line with regulatory procedures.
He commended the market leadership for its cooperation, describing it as a strong step towards safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of fake medicines.
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