After a month-long closure for regulatory enforcement, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially reopened the Onitsha Head Bridge drug market, popularly known as ‘Ogbo Ogwu.’ However, traders must meet strict conditions before resuming operations to prevent a repeat of past infractions.
Announcing the reopening on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that shop owners must complete all necessary documentation and clearance processes before their businesses can be unsealed.
To streamline this, a dedicated NAFDAC desk has been established to ensure traders comply with all regulatory requirements.
Conditions for Reopening
According to Prof. Adeyeye, the market will only remain open to traders who adhere to the agency’s new administrative conditions. Shop owners must:
- Complete all necessary paperwork and clearance procedures.
- Sign an official undertaking through their union, committing to compliance with regulations.
- Accept penalties for past violations related to the sale of fake and expired drugs.
Ensuring Compliance and Market Safety
NAFDAC took these measures following reports of illegal drug distribution, which prompted the initial market shutdown.
The agency has vowed to maintain strict oversight to prevent a recurrence of these issues.
“The reopening of the Onitsha drug market comes with stringent regulatory conditions to ensure compliance and eliminate the circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines,” the DG stated.
NAFDAC had earlier shut down the market as part of its crackdown on the sale of fake and expired drugs.
With the new measures in place, authorities are optimistic that the market will now operate under safer and more regulated conditions.
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