The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has officially commissioned the construction of a Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Anambra State.
Leading the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, was NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo.
Ezebuilo explained that NAIP represents local drug manufacturers, importers, and foreign pharmaceutical companies that supply medicines to hospitals and community pharmacies across Nigeria.
He noted that the new Research Centre is a critical step toward sanitizing the wholesale drug market in Anambra State.
“Drugs should enter and exit the market as authentic and effective products.
“Unfortunately, some individuals exploit the system by adulterating these medicines, resulting in a dangerous mix of genuine and fake drugs in circulation.
To combat this, Ezebuilo revealed that the new Centre would include an analytical laboratory dedicated to drug testing.
“This facility will help ensure that only safe and authentic medications reach consumers.
“We have signed a partnership with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA).
“They have pledged to supply the necessary lab equipment and provide training for pharmacists on its use.”
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Ezebuilo noted that roughly 70 percent of medicines distributed across Nigeria originate from wholesale drug markets.
“If we can curb drug adulteration at the wholesale level, we can significantly improve drug safety nationwide,” he said.
He said the Centre will also feature a cold chain storage system, a pharmaceutical marketing data hub, and conference and training facilities for medical sales representatives from the South-East and South-South regions.
Ezebuilo expressed appreciation to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for allocating land for the project and for his continued support of NAIP’s mission.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Harrison Abone, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, confirmed that the state government has directed the wholesale pharmaceutical market to begin full operations by November.
“As a government and as pharmacists, we recognise the critical need for access to genuine medications, especially in this region.
“With NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) also present within the market, all activities will be thoroughly regulated and monitored, ” he said.
Among the dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony were Igwe Alexander Onyido of Ogidi Kingdom; Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, NAIP Chairman, Delta State, Pharm. Chinedu Obi, NAIP Chairman, Anambra State and Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra state Primary healthcare Development Agency.
Also in attendance were past NAIP Chairmen: Chief U.N.O Uwaga, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, and Pharm. Anthony Akhime.
