NAFDAC reopens Onitsha drug market, mandates undertaking for shop owners

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has mandated all shop owners at the Bridgehead drug market in Onitsha, Anambra State, to sign an undertaking through their union.

As the agency reopened the market, along with others in the area after a month-long closure for sanitization and regulatory enforcement, it stressed that only shops complying with these conditions would be permitted to resume operations.

It also said that penalties for past violations of distribution regulations would be applied.

The Onitsha Bridgehead drug market, including Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets, was closed from February 10 to March 7 to rectify breaches in medicine distribution practices.

The exercise was carried out simultaneously in Kano, Idumota, Yaba, and Onitsha.

In a statement on Thursday, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General (DG), said that to prevent a recurrence of the issues that led to the closure, NAFDAC implemented strict administrative conditions for reopening.

“Shop owners were required to complete documentation and clearance procedures before their shops could be unsealed.

“A dedicated NAFDAC desk was established to facilitate this process efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

“Pharmaceuticals are highly regulated due to their direct impact on public health and national security.

“Under the NAFDAC Act, the agency remains committed to ensuring that all drug distribution channels comply with safety and regulatory standards,” she said.

She also conveyed the agency’s appreciation for the cooperation of the market leadership and the Anambra State Government in facilitating the exercise.