The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) have announced the successful relocation of pharmaceutical wholesalers from open drug markets in Kano to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Dangwauro. This move is part of a broader initiative to regulate drug distribution and address the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines (SFs) in Nigeria.
The relocation process was facilitated by the development of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), a framework established to address the disorderly drug distribution system in Nigeria. Over the years, both agencies have engaged stakeholders in Kano’s open drug markets, including Sabon Gari, Malam Kato, and Mai Karami, to facilitate their transition to the CWC.
A February 2024 Federal High Court ruling in favour of the relocation reinforced the agencies’ regulatory mandate, leading to enforcement actions that sealed over 1,370 outlets operating outside the new system. The CWC in Kano is now operational, with regulatory offices established on-site to ensure compliance and provide oversight.
The agencies are monitoring the distribution and sale of drugs to maintain quality and safety while continuing to engage stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition. Advocacy campaigns have also been intensified to educate stakeholders on the benefits of the CWC system for public health and the pharmaceutical sector.
This progress underscores the agencies’ commitment to creating a regulated and efficient drug distribution system in Nigeria. Stakeholders in other cities, including Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, are encouraged to prepare for similar transitions as the CWC model is expanded nationwide. NAFDAC and PCN remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard public health and eliminate SF medicines from circulation
