Anambra Governor Soludo urges pharmacists to join fight against counterfeit medicines

Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo used the opening of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s 99th Annual National Conference in Awka on 4 November 2026 to appeal for stronger collaboration with pharmacists in tackling counterfeit medicines. Speaking to attendees at the International Convention Centre, Soludo characterized the region as the nation's hub for pharmaceuticals and called on the professional organization to collaborate with his government to uphold regulations, shut down unauthorized establishments masquerading as pharmacies, and reduce the spread of counterfeit medications.

Titled 'Ijele 2026' with the focus 'One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact', the event offered Soludo an opportunity to detail his plans for wider improvements in the health and education sectors. He highlighted the revamp of primary health‑care centres, a free antenatal care programme that has served more than 250,000 pregnant women, and over 950 free caesarean deliveries. He also noted the state’s free education policy from kindergarten to secondary level, which has reduced out‑of‑school children to 0.25 percent, the lowest rate in the country.

Background

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) convened its annual national conference in Anambra for the first time, fulfilling a pledge made by PSN President Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim. Ibrahim praised Soludo’s support for the pharmacy profession and thanked him for the state’s commitment to hosting the event. During the ceremony, Soludo announced ongoing work on a dedicated pharmaceutical hub in Oba and a Coordinated Wholesale Centre, both slated for completion early next year. The governor also referenced an excellence award presented to him by the PSN in recognition of his contributions to pharmacy practice.

Why it matters

Counterfeit and substandard medicines remain a significant public‑health challenge in Nigeria, undermining treatment outcomes and eroding trust in the health system. By seeking the active participation of pharmacists, Soludo aims to strengthen regulatory enforcement and protect consumers from fake drug sales. The proposed pharmaceutical hub and wholesale centre are intended to centralise legitimate drug distribution, potentially improving supply‑chain integrity and creating economic opportunities within the state. The governor’s health initiatives, including free antenatal services and expanded primary‑care facilities, directly benefit hundreds of thousands of residents, while the education reforms contribute to long‑term human‑capital development.

What happens next

The Coordinated Wholesale Centre and the Oba pharmaceutical hub are expected to be completed early in 2027, according to the governor’s statements. Ongoing collaboration between the Anambra government and the PSN will focus on monitoring pharmacy operations, shutting down illegal outlets and reinforcing compliance with national drug‑safety standards. The PSN conference continues to serve as a forum for policy dialogue, with further meetings anticipated to assess progress on the anti‑counterfeit drug agenda and the rollout of the new pharmaceutical infrastructure.