The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, and the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Babashehu Ahmed have said ethical drug distribution remained crucial to the fight against fake and spurious medicines.
The regulatory bodies also called for more investment in ethical wholesale drug distribution.
This is as the regulators also lauded the commitment of the Board and management of New Heights Pharmaceuticals — an indigenous healthcare firm, for investing in ethical wholesale drug distribution.
Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of an ultra-modern wholesale drug distribution facility established by New Heights Pharmaceuticals in Ilupeju, Lagos, NAFDAC DG and PCN registrar stressed that the establishment will help to bolster the fight against fake drugs.
According to the NAFDAC DG, the newly commissioned facility will help the fight to rid the nation of fake, unwholesome, and adulterated medicines.
Prof Adeyeye added that the establishment of the wholesale drug distribution facility by New Heights aligns with the ongoing plans of pharmaceutical regulators to ensure quality healthcare for Nigerians through the use of quality drugs and medicines with traceability features.
She stressed that an efficient drug distribution system remained crucial to curbing unwholesome and adulterated drugs and medicines in the country.
Speaking in the same vein, the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria also lauded New Heights for establishing the wholesale drug distribution facility in the heart of Lagos, noting that the facility will fast-track the agency’s drive against all illegal drug distribution networks in the state.
Ahmed, who was represented by Dr Ukamaka Okafor, PCN coordinator, Lagos Office, said that the facility was in line with the new National Drug Distribution Guidelines and tandem with the goal of the PCN for Lagos State.
He disclosed that the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines in Kano State has been effective, with the closure of open drug markets, and relocation of certified distributors to Coordinated Wholesale Contres.
In his remarks at the event, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, urged the board and management of New Heights not to rest on their oars.
He said, “As we are commissioning this, there are greater heights to achieve, you must not stop in Nigeria, the West Africa Sub-region must be covered, and by inclusion Africa. And God sparing our lives, wherever we are commissioning anything, let me know, I will be there”.
Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, the chief executive officer of New Heights Pharmaceuticals, said that the huge investment of the firm in the facility was in response to the identified gap for standard and certified pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution centres in the country.
New Heights, Omaruaye said, is committed to the supply of quality healthcare products.
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