RismadarVoice Reporters
July 27, 2026
The Abia State Government has pledged to work with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to eliminate fake and substandard medicines from the state’s drug market.
Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu gave the assurance while receiving a proposal from the Abia State chapter of the PSN on improving pharmaceutical practice and drug distribution.
Emetu endorsed the PSN’s proposal for the establishment of a coordinated wholesale drug centre in the state, noting that the initiative would help curb the circulation of counterfeit medicines and ensure that only licensed operators participate in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
He disclosed that the proposal would be presented at the next meeting of the Abia State Security Council, stressing that tackling fake drugs requires collaboration between the government, security agencies, regulatory authorities and professional bodies.
According to the Deputy Governor, adopting a coordinated wholesale centre would strengthen regulation of drug distribution and make it easier to identify genuine pharmaceutical operators.
He also expressed concern over the rising cases of kidney failure, dialysis and other health complications linked to counterfeit and improperly dispensed medicines, attributing the trend largely to the activities of unqualified drug vendors.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, Chinedu Urukwem, outlined key challenges facing pharmaceutical practice in the state and called for the operationalisation of the Abia State Drug Management Agency, alongside support for the establishment of a coordinated wholesale drug centre.
