The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has called on the Federal and state governments to fully implement the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to tackle the influx of counterfeit and substandard drugs, foods and other regulated products that continue to pose a threat to Nigerians.
The society noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had, in 2015, approved the NDDG with a fundamental resolve to relocate Open Drug Markets to Coordinated Wholesale Centres, with a kick-start of the process in the first phase with the four prominent open drug markets in Idumota in Lagos, Headbridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, Sabongeri in Kano and Ariaria in Aba, Abia State.
The PSN urged the Federal Ministry of Health to expedite the next phase of the CWC projects by relocating the Open Drug Markets in Agbeni, Ibadan; Ogbete, Enugu; and Gamboru, Maiduguri, as pronounced by the Prof. Isaac Adewale-led administration in the FMOH since 2018.
The PSN made the call in a press briefing ahead of its 99th Annual National Conference, scheduled to hold from November 1 to 7, 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
The PSN President, Ayuba Tanko, said, “The PSN finds it necessary to call on government at both Federal and State levels to fully activate the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines against the background of a renewed influx of counterfeit, substandard, and fake drugs, foods, and other regulated products in Nigeria.
“As far back as 2015, the Federal Ministry of Health had approved the NDDG with a fundamental resolve to relocate Open Drug Markets to Coordinated Wholesale Centres.
“The FMoH had kick-started this process in the 1st phase with the four most prominent ODMs located in Idumota in Lagos State, Headbridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, Sabongeri in Kano, Kano State, and Ariaria in Aba, Abia State.”
Continuing, Tanko noted that Kano State has commissioned Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre while the Lagos project, which is being driven by the private sector, is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2027.
The PSN president also said the Anambra State Government had expressed support for the centre being developed in Oba, while Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, had promised to assist the project.
He further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to work with the Lagos, Anambra and Abia State governments to remove barriers delaying the smooth execution and delivery of the CWC projects intended to replace open drug markets.
The pharmacist also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and the three state governments to fast-track building and related approvals and address administrative and legal obstacles delaying the projects.
“The FMOH must collaborate with the Lagos State Government, the Anambra State Government, and the Abia State Government to remove all barriers to the smooth execution and delivery of the CWC projects in the three States where projects are ongoing.
“These measures will include fast-tracking all building and related approvals, dealing decisively with frivolous administrative petitions, and spurious court actions,” he noted.
The PSN president further urged the ministry to expedite the next phase of the initiative, which includes relocating open drug markets in Agbeni, Ibadan, Oyo State; Ogbete in Enugu; and Gamboru, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Tanko said, “We strongly enjoin the FMoH to expedite action on the next phase of the CWC projects with the relocation of ODMs in Agbeni in Ibadan, Ogbete in Enugu, and Gamboru in Maiduguri, as pronounced by the Prof. Isaac Adewale-led administration in the FMOH since 2018.
“The totality of these measures will go a long way to enhance patient safety and public health at a juncture when more fake and substandard regulated products are appearing to be dominating the public space.”
The pharmacist also “strongly urges the National Assembly to complete work on the amendment of the Fake Drug Act, which was progressively handled at a recent Public Hearing at the Senate for Presidential assent in the interest of consumers of health.”
Beyond drug distribution, the PSN president called for clearer responsibilities and competency requirements for Consultant Pharmacists, whose cadre has been recognised in the federal and state public-service schemes of service.
Tanko said a standardised framework could clarify their roles, qualifications, professional development expectations and accountability, while supporting workforce planning and the integration of advanced pharmacists into multidisciplinary clinical teams.
He also highlighted opportunities for pharmacists to contribute to clinical nutrition, medication safety and specialised pharmaceutical services through the PSN–West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition collaboration.
The pharmacist said the collaboration could support training in sterile compounding, aseptic techniques and cleanroom practice, as well as the development of quality systems for the safe preparation of parenteral nutrition.
Continuing, Tanko said, “Supporting the safe preparation of parenteral nutrition in collaboration with the wider nutrition support team, exploring centralised admixture services where feasible, appropriately governed, and sustainable, promoting technical education, clinical attachments, research, and the appropriate introduction of compounding technologies.
“The collaboration can also support joint workshops, webinars, conferences, mentorship, and clinical attachments. Any new service should be assessed against local needs, regulatory requirements, staffing, infrastructure, and sustainable financing.”
The PSN president also noted that the International Pharmacy Practice Residency Programme launched at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, in May 2022 through the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, in collaboration with the hospital, was an opportunity to strengthen supervised postgraduate clinical training.
He noted that the programme is under review by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists following an accreditation survey, with a decision expected by March 2027.
Responding to questions from journalists at the press conference, the PSN president addressed concerns about counterfeit and substandard medicines, saying patients should not bear the primary responsibility for determining whether medicines were genuine.
He advised Nigerians to obtain medicines from registered pharmacies, warning against buying prescription medicines from unauthorised sellers.
Tanko announced that its 99th Annual National Conference would be held from November 1 to 7, 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
The conference theme is “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact.”
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, while Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, will be the special guest of honour at the opening ceremony on November 3.
The conference programme will include company presentations, update lectures, exhibitions, town hall meetings, excursions, the society’s annual general meeting and a closing banquet.
The PSN president said the 99th Annual Conference will bring pharmacists and other stakeholders together to discuss pharmacy practice and healthcare delivery and urged all pharmacists to be in attendance.
On his part, the Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Derrick Osondu, promised participants an all-round learning experience, networking, vibrant nightlife, and exquisite traditional food delicacies native to Anambra indigenes.