Enforce distribution guideline to tackle fake medicines, pharmaceutical group urges govt

From left; MD Funket Nig Ltd, Mrs Olufunke Awopegba; MD NHC Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mrs Olaide Soetan; National Chairman, PWDAN, Mr. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye; MD, Atsi Pharmacy NigeriaLimited, Rosemary Nikoro, and Gafar Madehin of Pharmaton 693 Cooperative Pharmacy during the press conference Photo: PWDAN

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The Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN) has called for urgent enforcement of the National Drug Distribution Guideline and stronger regulatory collaboration to curb the circulation of falsified and substandard medicines in the country.

Speaking at a PWDAN press conference marking Fight the Fakes Week 2025 in Lagos on Friday, the National Chairman of PWDAN, Mr. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said the solution to Nigeria’s drug quality crisis lies in a structured supply chain backed by government enforcement and NAFDAC’s track-and-trace system.

Omaruaye urged Nigerians to take responsibility by ensuring that every medicine purchased comes directly from registered pharmacies and pharmacists.

“The message to end users is very simple: walk into a pharmacy, ask for the pharmacist, and make sure you are buying a drug from a registered pharmacist.

“You can even go a step further—ask the registered pharmacy where they buy their drugs from. Do they buy them from the open market, or from trusted sources? Our members in PWDAN are trusted sources,” he said.

He emphasised that an effective supply chain begins with the clear movement of medicines from manufacturers to licensed wholesalers, then to retail pharmacies, and finally to patients.

“If the Ministry of Health and regulatory bodies implement the new drug distribution guideline, it will significantly reduce—maybe not eliminate completely, but reduce—the circulation of falsified and substandard drugs.

“When combined with NAFDAC’s 100% track-and-trace system, where medicine flow is defined from manufacturers to wholesalers and then retailers, the solution is inside these two things,” Omaruaye said.

He lamented that many unqualified middlemen currently handle medicines without proper training or storage capacity, creating a chaotic distribution system that allows fake drugs to infiltrate the market.

“Today, medicines move into the wrong hands because they are not tracked, not traced, and not properly stored. People who have no business handling medicines are involved in distribution.

“Once the chain is properly established, people importing falsified products cannot approach regulated distributors because they do not meet the criteria. Our members cannot buy medicines from just anybody,” he added.

Omaruaye explained that PWDAN members are trained in Good Distribution and Storage Practices and operate facilities equipped to maintain medicine quality from source to retail level.

He, however, noted that Nigeria’s vast population and security challenges mean the problem cannot disappear overnight.

“Nigeria is a massive entity with issues government cannot fully control. But we can at least mitigate these risks if the distribution chain is enforced,” he said.

Also speaking, Gafar Madehin of Pharmaton 693 Cooperative Pharmacy said PWDAN now provides the long-awaited professional alternative to open drug markets.

“If you are removing something, you must provide an alternative. Years ago, the excuse was: where is the alternative to open drug markets? That excuse does not exist anymore.

“PWDAN is now that alternative—professionals who follow regulatory requirements, maintain proper storage conditions, handle products correctly, and source medicines from licensed importers and manufacturers,” Madehin said.

He added that the association’s growing membership is built on strict standards.

“For you to be a member, you must be ready to meet the standards. That is why the chairman talks about self-regulation supported with technology,” he said.

In its formal statement, PWDAN reiterated its mission to “bring sanity to the pharmaceutical supply chain”, pledging to enforce the National drug distribution guideline, adopt good distribution practices, support NAFDAC’s track-and-trace initiative, promote technology-driven visibility, advocate enforcement against illegal operators, and intensify public awareness campaigns.

PWDAN warned that falsified and substandard medicines remain a national emergency, costing lives and undermining trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Together, let us build a Nigeria where no patient must fear the medicine they take,” Omaruaye affirmed.

Other PWDAN executives present at the press conference included the association’s secretary, Mrs. Olaide Soetan, Mrs. Rosemary Nikoro, and Mrs. Olufunke Adepegba.

The PUNCH Senior Correspondent, Grace, has over 17 years experience covering education, arts, business and health sectors. She’s a graduate of Sociology

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