The federal government has directed the owners of the 1,321 medicine stores sealed in Kano to relocate to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in the Dangwauro area to ensure proper monitoring and safeguard the country.

The Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, gave the directive while addressing journalists shortly after inspecting the CWC on Friday on Zaria Road, Dangwauro, Kano.

“I am here at CWC to see the direction taken by NAFDAC and PCN to improve the quality distribution system and safeguard the system from substandard counterfeit drugs and other illicit substances that are raking huge amounts of havoc on our population,” said Mr Pate.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), sealed the stores on February 18 for operating illegally in Kano.

Mr Pate said the safety of Nigerians, their health and their well-being were very important for the administration of President Bola Ahmed.

“The open market system is chaotic, and that is the route through which a lot of substandard and illicit drugs get to our population and youths, damaging their future,” Mr Pate said.

According to him, the drug distribution system is an essential element in improving the safety and efficacy of the medications that the population consumes.

He called on drug dealers to comply with the guidelines and provisions of regulatory laws.

The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran, said the state would assist smaller drug dealers to acquire shops at the CWC.

”To acquire a shop at the CWC is one of the concerns drug dealers raised during our meeting with them. We will make sure we free our market from drugs,” the minister said.

(NAN)