Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has raised alarm over the growing menace of fake drugs flooding Nigerian markets, urging the Federal Government to take decisive action. His concerns come after regulatory agencies uncovered large quantities of falsified and banned drugs at the notorious Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market in Onitsha, a major hub for drug trade in Africa.
Soludo, in a statement posted on X.com on Sunday, stressed the need for stricter controls at the country’s entry points to prevent these dangerous products from reaching local markets. He noted that while local regulatory efforts continue, the real solution lies in cracking down on the illicit supply chain that smuggles these substances into Nigeria.
The governor had visited Onitsha on Saturday to inspect the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market and the nearby Plumbing Materials Market, which was recently shut down due to regulatory concerns. Expressing shock at the scale of the problem, he stated, “I visited the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ and adjoining markets 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.”
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He further revealed that several shops were found stockpiling cartons of counterfeit drugs, many of which had been banned both locally and globally. “How these drugs, which have been banned worldwide, still make their way from manufacturing hubs in India through our ports and into Nigerian markets remains a question only the relevant authorities can answer,” Soludo stated.
In response to the crisis, the governor has called for a more aggressive crackdown on the distribution network of these illicit drugs. He urged the Federal Government to “tighten up the noose on the supply chain,” emphasizing that failure to act swiftly could have devastating consequences on public health.
Meanwhile, Soludo has directed regulatory agencies to expedite their search operations in the affected markets. He assured traders at the Plumbing Materials Market that they would be allowed to resume business within ten days, provided they comply with all regulatory guidelines.
As part of his long-term strategy to combat the proliferation of fake drugs, the governor highlighted the ongoing construction of a coordinated wholesale drug center in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. This facility is expected to house a new, standardized Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market, ensuring stricter control over drug sales and eliminating the chaotic trading environment that has enabled counterfeit products to thrive.
“Onitsha remains the largest trading hub in Africa, and we are committed to elevating it to a more structured and globally competitive level. This is our contribution to ending the menace of fake and counterfeit drugs,” Soludo concluded.
