The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in conjunction with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has warned pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers across the country to desist from supplying medicines to patent medicines dealers in Niger Street and Sabon Gari Market, Kano State.
This comes after the judgment of the Court of Appeal on Friday, which ordered the medicines merchant to immediately vacate the Sabon Gari Market and relocate to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, Dangwauro, Kano.
In a statement signed by the management of the two regulatory agencies, they explained the rationale behind the directive, which is prevent distribution of substandard and falsified medicines in the state.
They however warned that any company that fails to comply with this directive risks losing its site license as well as the product license.
It read in part “ NAFDAC and PCN warn manufacturers, importers, medical representatives and all distributors to from this very moment cease supplying pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other regulated pharmaceutical products to facilities, companies in Niger Street, Sabon Gari Market, or else where outside the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Dangwauro, Kano.
“This is to ensure good distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, etc and prevent circulation of substandard and falsified medicines in the market.”
The regulators also charged retailers, hospitals and others to be mindful of this development to prevent the sales and purchase of falsified medicines or medical devices.
This much anticipated. It is a step in right direction. All supplies shall be to designated, regulated premises in the coordinated whole sales centre.