•Establishing Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) to replace Nigeria’s chaotic open drug markets is a crucial step towards improving public health and strengthening the healthcare system. By addressing unregulated drug distribution, this initiative aims to curb the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, safeguarding the nation’s pharmaceutical sector
To combat the growing menace of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) have taken a bold and significant step toward overhauling the country’s disorganised and chaotic drug distribution system. This transformative action is not only a pivotal moment in the reform of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector but also a decisive move in the fight against SF medicines, which have long posed a serious threat to public health. The disorderly nature of open drug markets, where counterfeit and substandard medications are often sold without regulation, has been a major contributor to the spread of these dangerous products across the country. This reform promises to address the root causes of the crisis, while safeguarding the health and well-being of all Nigerians.
Speaking at a joint media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the ongoing challenge posed by open drug markets to regulatory agencies. She commended the relocation of Kano’s open drug market to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), describing it as a benchmark for other states to emulate. The NAFDAC boss also emphasised that the CWC model offers a structured and regulated environment for the sale and distribution of pharmaceuticals, significantly reducing the risks associated with unregulated drug markets. “This milestone in Kano sets a precedent for how we can transform the pharmaceutical landscape across the country,” Adeyeye noted, urging other regions to adopt similar initiatives to ensure public health and safety.
This effort culminated in a landmark court ruling in February 2024, which ordered open drug marketers in Kano to relocate their operations to the newly established Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Dangwauro, Kano. This initiative, which has been endorsed by regulatory authorities and health experts, marks a critical turning point in Nigeria’s continued battle against the growing menace of SF medicines that have plagued the nation for decades.
As a nation, Nigeria faces a profound challenge in its drug distribution system. The chaotic and unregulated nature of open drug markets, particularly in cities like Kano, Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, has been a persistent concern for regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and PCN. The lack of proper oversight and structured distribution channels has led to the infiltration of substandard and falsified drugs into the market, with devastating consequences for public health. Substandard and falsified medicines are often ineffective, or worse, harmful, leading to treatment failures, prolonged illness, and even death. This situation, while a pressing issue for regulators, has also had far-reaching economic consequences, contributing to a healthcare system that struggles to meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
The decision to relocate drug marketers to a more controlled and regulated environment within the CWCs is a vital step in addressing these challenges. The Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWC), designed as hubs for the centralised, regulated distribution of pharmaceutical products, have been identified as a crucial part of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG). These centres aim to bring together all pharmaceutical stakeholders under a single regulatory framework, thus reducing the risks associated with unregulated distribution, while ensuring that medicines are stored, handled, and distributed in line with established safety and efficacy standards.
“The chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria and open drug markets have been a sore point to drug regulatory agencies, especially to NAFDAC. This disorderly chain of movement of medicine in the supply chain, from the manufacturer to the final consumer, is inimical to the efficacy of pharmaceutical products and is the primary cause of Substandard and Falsified (SF) medicines in circulation. The consequence of this is treatment failure or even death. Therefore, to make Nigerians healthier and reduce mortality, NAFDAC and our sister agency, PCN, must continue to fight against SFs.
“The fight started decades ago when the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform (PCPSR), constituted in 2003, developed strategies towards the sanitisation of the drug distribution system in Nigeria. The Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWC), where the open marketers can be relocated for proper monitoring, is a product of the PCPSR. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, is one of the architects of CWC and in full support of the centres,” she said.
At the joint press briefing, the Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed, issued a stern directive to operators of open drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, urging them to prepare for relocation to the newly approved Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) in their respective cities as soon as the facilities are completed. The Registrar’s warning follows a landmark ruling by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Kano Federal High Court on February 16, 2024, which mandated the relocation of open drug marketers in Kano to the Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Centre. Pharm. Ahmed emphasised that once the CWC facilities in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba are ready, open drug market operators will be required to move without delay. He added that no extensions or grace periods would be granted, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring a regulated and safer pharmaceutical distribution system across Nigeria.
He described the Simon Amobeda ruling that ordered the movement of open drug marketers to Kano CWC as monumental because it would make the control of drug distribution better regulated and eliminate substandard medicines. “The continued fight against SFs to make our citizens healthier has been blessed by the judgment of Justice Amobeda. It is most significant for both NAFDAC and PCN because it shows the resolve of the two agencies to get rid of SFs in our markets and sets a good pathway toward attainment of Maturity Level 4. In August 2024, an attempt was made to commission the market but the Director, Investigation and Enforcement (Chairman of Federal Task Force), Mohammed Shaba had meetings with several stakeholders.” The PCN Registrar also revealed that the council has stopped a move by the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers to commission a Drug market in Dalar Gyada In Kano contrary to the Act establishing PCN.”
The role of NAFDAC and PCN in regulating the pharmaceutical sector
In Nigeria, NAFDAC and PCN are the two key regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing the distribution and sale of pharmaceutical products. NAFDAC’s mandate includes regulating the importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of drugs, food, medical devices, and other regulated products. PCN, on the other hand, is responsible for regulating pharmacy practice and ensuring that pharmacists and other drug distributors comply with the laws that govern pharmaceutical sales and practices in Nigeria. Together, these agencies work in tandem to monitor and enforce compliance with the regulations, ensuring that the public is protected from the dangers of unregulated drugs.
As stakeholders have canvassed over the years, the relocation of open drug markets to the CWCs will significantly enhance the ability of these agencies to enforce their mandates effectively. The CWC in Kano, the first of its kind in Nigeria, provides a controlled environment where medicines can be properly regulated, and where oversight from both NAFDAC and PCN is facilitated. In addition, the establishment of CWCs in Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha—four of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical trading hubs—represents a robust framework for regulating the drug distribution process across Nigeria.
The CWC model has the potential to drastically reduce the number of substandard and falsified medicines in circulation. For NAFDAC, the ability to regulate the sale and distribution of medicines in these centralised locations will significantly reduce the chances of counterfeit products entering the market. In the past, drug dealers operating in unregulated open drug markets have circumvented the stringent checks that NAFDAC has attempted to enforce, often leading to the proliferation of SF medicines. The relocation of these dealers to the CWCs is expected to curb this problem by improving monitoring, enhancing traceability of pharmaceuticals, and fostering greater collaboration between regulatory bodies and the pharmaceutical industry.
The ruling by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano on February 16, 2024, represents a significant milestone in the fight against SF medicines. By ordering the relocation of open drug marketers to the CWC in Dangwauro, the court has reinforced the importance of regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s drug distribution system. The judgement not only validates the efforts of NAFDAC and PCN to control drug distribution but also sets a precedent for future enforcement actions in other major drug markets across the country. In response to the ruling, NAFDAC and PCN launched an enforcement action on February 17-18, 2024, sealing over 1,370 wholesale medicine outlets across three open drug markets in Kano—Sabon Gari, Malam Kato, and Mai Karami Plaza. These outlets, which had long been operating outside of regulatory control, were found to be major sources of SF medicines. The sealed outlets were given a deadline to relocate their businesses to the newly established CWC, marking a decisive step in the broader strategy to sanitise Nigeria’s pharmaceutical distribution system.
This court ruling also sends a strong message to other drug marketers in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba—cities where open drug markets have similarly contributed to the proliferation of SF medicines. It serves as a reminder that the days of unregulated drug distribution are numbered, and that the future of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market lies in compliance with established regulations and participation in the CWC system. The relocation of drug distributors to the CWCs is a positive development for the health of Nigerians. By eliminating the unregulated drug markets, which have been hotbeds for substandard and falsified medicines, Nigeria is taking a significant step toward protecting the health of its citizens. As Prof Adeyeye has consistently emphasised, “A healthier nation is a wealthier nation.” The move to centralised, regulated drug distribution not only ensures that Nigerians receive medicines that are safe and effective, but it also fosters a stronger economy by improving public health outcomes.
The benefits of a healthier population are manifold. Healthy citizens are more productive, experience fewer healthcare-related setbacks, and contribute more effectively to the economy. By tackling the root causes of substandard and falsified medicines, NAFDAC and PCN are not only saving lives but also creating an environment where the healthcare system can thrive. The success of the CWC initiative will serve as a model for other sectors in Nigeria, demonstrating the power of regulation and collaboration in driving positive change.
However, the fight against substandard and falsified medicines is far from over. While the establishment of CWCs in Kano, Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba represents a critical step forward, much work remains to be done to fully eradicate the problem of SF medicines in Nigeria. The tiding is that the efforts of NAFDAC and PCN are supported by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, who has been a vocal advocate for the CWC initiative and the broader pharmaceutical sector reform.
According Pate, the creation of the CWCs is part of a long-term strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical distribution system is robust, transparent, and accountable. However, the successful implementation of this strategy will require continued cooperation between regulatory bodies, government agencies, and pharmaceutical stakeholders. NAFDAC, PCN, and other key partners must continue to work together to ensure that the CWCs operate efficiently and that compliance is strictly enforced. In addition, there is a need for ongoing education and awareness campaigns to help all stakeholders—especially the medicine distributors—understand the importance of adhering to the new regulations and embracing the CWC system.
The Nigerian government’s commitment to building more CWCs in other key cities, as well as expanding the reach and capacity of existing centres, will be instrumental in the fight against SF medicines. The cooperation between NAFDAC, PCN, and other stakeholders, including state governments and local authorities, will be crucial in ensuring the success of this initiative and the continued improvement of Nigeria’s public health system.
