Anambra unveils plan to relocate open drug markets in 2025

Dr Godwin Nnadozie, the Special Adviser to Anambra Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Affairs, has disclosed the state government’s plan to relocate all open drug markets in the state.

Nnadozie disclosed in Awka on Thursday that the markets would be relocated in 2025 to a more befitting facility.

He said that the Governor Charles Souldo-led administration was already constructing a Pharmaceutical Distribution Hub in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.

The governor’s aide said that Anambra had suffered a chaotic drug distribution and marketing system for too long.

“This has led to the circulation of all manner of fake, sub-standard and adulterated drug products.

“This administration has come to change the narrative. We shall move the sale and distribution of drug products to a safer and better orgainsed environment,” he said.

Nnadozie said that the decision was in line with global best practices, and that the relocation would safeguard the health of Anambra residents and Nigerians at large,” he said.

He said that the Anambra pharmaceutical distribution hub was a massive project sitting on 50 hectares of land along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

The special adviser said that the project was being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, NAFDAC and Ogbogwu Market Union among others.

“The project is located in an accessible and self-sustaining ecosystem that will ensure efficient, seamless and orderly drug distribution activities.

“It has a solid road network, parking space, independent power supply system with sustainable energy options, regular water supply and treatment, banks and recreational facilities,” he said.

Nnadozie urged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the facility to invest in the pharmaceutical industry.