In a significant stride toward ensuring public health and combating the prevalence of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) have announced the successful relocation of pharmaceutical wholesalers from Kano’s open drug markets to a newly established Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Dangwauro.
The move, officially shared in a joint press briefing on November 26, 2024, is part of a broader initiative to bring order and regulation to Nigeria’s drug distribution system.
According to NAFDAC and PCN, the transition follows the development of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), which were introduced to curb Nigeria’s disorderly drug distribution and stem the circulation of SF medicines. The agencies have been working closely with stakeholders across Kano’s major drug markets, including Sabon Gari, Malam Kato, and Mai Karami, to support their migration to the CWC.
A decisive moment came in February 2024, when a Federal High Court ruling reinforced the agencies’ mandate to regulate drug distribution. This led to enforcement actions that resulted in over 1,370 outlets operating outside the CWC system being sealed.
“The CWC in Kano is now operational,” the agencies stated, emphasizing that regulatory offices have been established on-site to ensure compliance and maintain oversight.
“We are committed to monitoring drug distribution and sale, maintaining quality and safety standards while continuing stakeholder engagement to support a seamless transition.”
To further support the initiative, advocacy campaigns have been intensified, aiming to educate both the public and stakeholders on the benefits of the CWC system for Nigeria’s public health and pharmaceutical sector.
The agencies also noted that the success in Kano signals an impending nationwide shift toward a regulated and safe drug distribution model. They encourage stakeholders in other cities, including Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, to prepare for similar relocations as the CWC model is expanded across Nigeria.
In a statement underscoring the agencies’ commitment to public health, NAFDAC and PCN emphasized, “We remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard public health and eliminate SF medicines from circulation.”
