The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the reopening of the medicine market at Bridgehead, Onitsha, following a comprehensive sanitisation exercise. The market, which was shut down from February 10 to March 7, has resumed operations under strict regulatory conditions.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC Director for the Southeast, confirmed the development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. He explained that the Ogbo Ogwu market, along with three adjoining markets, had been closed to sanitise the medicine distribution system.
Iluyomade emphasised that shop owners must fulfil specific administrative requirements before their shops, previously sealed during the operation, can be reopened. He noted that the move is part of measures to prevent a recurrence of the issues that necessitated the market’s closure.
“Pharmaceuticals are highly regulated due to their impact on public health and national security. Our mandate, under the NAFDAC Act, is to regulate and control the sales and distribution of drugs,” Iluyomade stated.
Contrary to reports from some media outlets, the NAFDAC Director clarified that the market was not entirely closed but was undergoing a documentation and regularisation process. He further explained that no shop would be unsealed without completing the necessary clearance procedures, and a special desk has been set up to expedite the process.
Iluyomade also expressed gratitude to the market leadership and the Anambra State Government for their cooperation throughout the exercise. He added that the agency was not aware of any internal conflicts within the market.
The reopening marks the beginning of a more regulated and secure medicine distribution system aimed at safeguarding public health and maintaining national security.
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