Manufacturers, importers, company representatives and other distributors of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria have been directed to stop the supply of their medical devices and products to patent medicines dealers in Niger Street and Sabon Gari Market, Kano State.

The directive was issued in a joint statement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration  and Control (NAFDAC) as well as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and published on NAFDAC’s official X handle on Sunday. 

The move is to prevent the distribution of substandard and falsified medicines in the state.

According to the statement, companies that flout the directive will lose their site and product licences.

Members of the Nigerian Association of Patent Proprietary Medicine Dealers, had approached the Federal High Court seeking to stop their forceful relocation from their registered business premises in Sabon Gari, to another location against their wish.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, ruled on Friday that the suit lacked merit, adding that the plaintiffs have no locus standi to challenge the relocation order by the PCN, the regulator of their businesses.

The court, therefore, ordered the medicine merchants to immediately vacate the Sabon Gari Market and relocate to the coordinated Wholesale Centre in Dangwauro, Kano State.

The directive to the distributors in execution of the court order read, “Please recall the last judgement delivered by the court of appeal ordering Kano medicine dealers to vacate Niger street/Sabon Garri market and to relocate to the coordinated wholesale centre at Dangwauro, Kano.

“NAFDAC and PCN warn manufacturers, importers, medical representatives and all distributors to from this very moment cease supplying pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other regulated pharmaceutical products to facilities, companies in Niger Street, Sabon Gari Market, or else where outside the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Dangwauro, Kano State.

“This is to ensure good distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, etc., and prevent circulation of substandard and falsified medicines in the market.

“Any company found doing this risks losing the site license as well as the product license. Retailers, hospitals and others should also take note,” it warned.