ABUJA, NIGERIA – The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Igwekamma, has raised a disturbing alarm over the widespread circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs across the country.
Speaking ahead of the association’s 44th Annual International Conference, scheduled to take place in Awka, Anambra State, from July 22 to 27, 2025, the ACPN chairman described the development as a national public health emergencyrequiring urgent action.
“More than half of the medicines circulating in Nigeria today are either fake or substandard. This is not just a pharmaceutical crisis — it's a public health disaster,” Pharm. Igwekamma stated.
Major Hotspots for Fake Drugs in Nigeria
The ACPN highlighted several notorious open drug markets across the country known for the sale and distribution of counterfeit medications. These include:
Idumota, Mushin, Agege, Orile – Lagos
Onitsha Main Market – Anambra
Aba Drug Market – Abia
Agbeni – Ibadan
Ogbete – Enugu
Kano Open Drug Market – Kano
Gamboru – Maiduguri
According to the association, porous borders, weak enforcement, and illegal imports from India and China have worsened the influx of unregulated medicines, which are often distributed through these open markets and unlicensed street vendors.
Regulatory Agencies Overwhelmed
Despite the efforts of regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the scale of the problem remains alarming.
“NAFDAC has sealed over 3,000 illegal shops in Lagos State alone, yet the circulation of fake drugs persists because of the deeply rooted supply chains and lack of political will to dismantle them,” the ACPN noted.
Call for Legislative and Regulatory Reforms
Pharm. Igwekamma is calling on the National Assembly, Ministry of Health, and key regulatory bodies to enact and enforce stronger pharmaceutical laws. The association also wants a total dismantling of open drug markets and full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).
“We need a national emergency response that includes stiffer penalties, stricter border controls, and the full relocation of drug markets into regulated pharmaceutical hubs,” he said.
Upcoming ACPN Conference to Tackle the Crisis
The upcoming conference in Awka will host community pharmacists from across Nigeria and the diaspora, focusing on:
Counterfeit drug eradication strategies
Strengthening supply chain integrity
Digital tracking systems for pharmaceutical distribution
Policy advocacy for regulatory reforms
The theme of the 2025 conference is expected to center on “Pharmaceutical Security and Public Health Integrity in a Post-COVID Nigeria.”
