The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the reopening of the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market, popularly known as Ogbo Ogwu, following a month-long closure. The market, which was shut down to sanitize and enforce regulatory compliance, has now resumed operations under strict conditions.
This development was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. According to the statement, shop owners must complete comprehensive documentation and clearance procedures before their shops can be unsealed.
To ensure seamless compliance with regulatory standards, NAFDAC has set up a dedicated desk at the market to assist shop owners through the process. Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that only shops that meet the stipulated conditions will be permitted to resume business activities.
She also stated that all shop owners, through their union, are required to sign an undertaking as well as pay penalties for past violations related to drug distribution regulations. This move aims to prevent a recurrence of the infractions that initially led to the market’s closure.
The crackdown on the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market was initially triggered by the discovery of counterfeit and expired drugs being sold at the location. NAFDAC’s decisive action reflects its commitment to safeguarding public health and maintaining strict regulatory oversight.
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