By Chioma Obinna

The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN), Pharmacist Ogheneochuko Omaruaye Hastings, has called on Nigerians to purchase medicines only from verified and approved sources in a bid to combat the spread of counterfeit and substandard drugs that cause avoidable deaths and health complications.

Speaking during the PWDAN Annual Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos, themed “Bridging Gaps: Integrating Pharma Wholesalers and Distributors for Medicine Security in Nigeria,” Pharm. Omaruaye addressed the disruptions caused by the closure of open drug markets and the resulting exposure of weaknesses in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

“While the closure of some open drug markets has created challenges, it also offers an opportunity for the industry to strengthen itself,” he said. “Medicine security is not solely the government’s duty—it is a national imperative that requires collaboration among manufacturers, regulators, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers.”

He stressed the need for productive engagement, solution-driven dialogue, and collaboration through PWDAN as a strategic bridge for achieving a secure and efficient distribution system.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Afon Adebayo, affirmed PWDAN’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to safe, quality-assured medicines.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, urged for greater support for locally produced medicines and encouraged pooling of resources to support medicine procurement, particularly for small-scale distributors with limited capital.

Delivering a goodwill message, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye—represented by Dr. Regina Garba—described the conference theme as timely. She emphasized that achieving a secure pharmaceutical supply chain hinges on strong partnerships, accountability, and shared responsibilities across the sector.

Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), highlighted the critical role of medicines as life-saving products. He called for a clearly defined strategy to attain national medicine security, noting that improper handling of medicines could undermine public health and erode trust in the healthcare system.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director of the Society for Family Health—represented by Pharm. Dennis Aizobu—commended NAFDAC for its recent enforcement actions and encouraged broader participation of stakeholders in future discussions to enhance drug security.

A panel discussion at the conference identified key gaps in the current pharmaceutical supply chain, including weak infrastructure, fragmented distribution, inadequate standardization, stockouts, poor coordination between wholesalers and retailers, and underutilization of technology. Suggested solutions included boosting local manufacturing, improving transparency, enforcing regulatory compliance, and increasing the number of licensed pharmacists.

The conference concluded with the unveiling of new pharmaceutical products, exhibitions by various companies, a guided tour of exhibition stands, and the induction of new members into PWDAN.