From Our Correspondent
Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, NAIP, Tuesday commenced the construction of a Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Anambra State.
National Chairman of the association, Mr Bankole Ezebuilo led members to the groundbreaking ceremony at Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market, Oba, near Onitsha.
Ezebuilo described NAIP as the body representing local manufacturers, importers and representatives of foreign pharmaceutical companies that supply drugs to hospitals and community pharmacies in the country.
He said the centre is being established to bring sanity to the coordinated wholesale drug market in the state.
“Drugs are meant to enter and go out of the market as authentic and effective products.
“Unfortunately, some individuals take advantage of the system and adulterate these drugs, leading to the presence of genuine and fake medicines in circulation.
“To address this, NAIP Research Centre will house an analytical laboratory, where all drugs will be tested.
“This will ensure that by the time the drugs reach the final consumer, we can be confident that they are authentic and safe,” Ezebuilo said.
He said NAIP has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas, NAPPSA.
According to him, NAPPSA pledged to provide the necessary equipment for the analytical laboratory and train pharmacists on how to operate and manage it effectively.
“About 70 percent of the medications circulating nationwide are from drug markets.
“Therefore, if we can eliminate or significantly reduce drug adulteration at this wholesale level, we can ensure that consumers receive genuine medications,” he added.
Ezebuilo said the centre would also have a cold chain storage system, a marketing data hub, training and conference facilities for medical sales representatives from the South East and South South.
He thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing the land for the construction of the facility and his support and commitment to NAIP’s vision.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, Dr Harrison Abone said the governor had mandated the drug market to commence operations by November.
“As a government and as pharmacists, we appreciate the essence of having genuine drugs, especially in this side of the country.
“NAFDAC and PCN buildings are also within this drug market, all aimed at ensuring that operations are well regulated and monitored,” he said.
