The Abia State administration has committed to working alongside the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to remove illegitimate and low-quality pharmaceuticals from the local market. Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu announced this initiative during a meeting at the Government House in Umuahia, where he reviewed a proposal from the local PSN chapter focused on drug distribution standards.
Emetu backed the proposal for a centralized wholesale facility, noting that it would restrict market access to verified professionals and hinder the spread of dangerous products. The deputy governor plans to share this initiative during the upcoming State Security Council assembly, emphasizing that eliminating substandard drugs demands unified efforts from law enforcement, regulatory boards, and the government.
Addressing the health risks, Emetu cited the rising frequency of kidney failure and related medical crises, linking these outcomes directly to unlicensed drug sellers. Chinedu Urukwem, Secretary of the PSN Abia State branch, previously urged the government to activate the state drug management agency and finalize plans for the wholesale center to restore professional integrity to the region.
