The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, marking a major step toward sanitizing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market, was led by NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo.
Ezebuilo said the Centre—targeted at eliminating counterfeit drugs from the market—would house an advanced analytical laboratory for drug testing, a cold chain storage facility, a pharmaceutical marketing data hub, and conference and training halls for medical sales representatives from the South-East and South-South regions.
“Drugs should enter and exit the market as authentic and effective products,” Ezebuilo stated. “Unfortunately, some exploit the system, introducing adulterated products that endanger public health. This Centre will help ensure only safe, high-quality medications reach consumers.”
To support this initiative, NAIP has entered into a partnership with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA), which will provide laboratory equipment and pharmacist training.
Emphasizing the Centre’s national impact, Ezebuilo noted that approximately 70 percent of medicines distributed across Nigeria are sourced from wholesale markets. “By addressing drug quality at this level, we can drastically improve public safety,” he added.
Ezebuilo also thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for allocating land for the project and for backing NAIP’s mission to strengthen pharmaceutical standards in the region.
Dr. Harrison Abone, Special Adviser to the Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, affirmed the government’s support, announcing that the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market will begin full operations by November.
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“With NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria stationed within the market, all activities will be strictly regulated to ensure compliance and safety,” Abone said.
Dignitaries at the event included Igwe Alexander Onyido of Ogidi Kingdom; Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, NAIP Chairman, Delta State; Pharm. Chinedu Obi, NAIP Chairman, Anambra State; Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; and several past NAIP Chairmen, including Chief U.N.O Uwaga, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, and Pharm. Anthony Akhime.
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