The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reopened the Bridgehead Drug Market in Onitsha after a month-long closure for regulatory enforcement and sanitization.
According to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the market—including Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets—was shut down from February 10 to March 7 to address lapses in medicine distribution practices.
To prevent future violations, NAFDAC introduced strict administrative measures for reopening. Shop owners were required to complete documentation and clearance procedures before regaining access, with a dedicated NAFDAC desk established to oversee compliance.
Prof. Adeyeye stated that all shop owners, through their union, must sign an undertaking and pay penalties for past regulatory breaches. Only shops that meet these conditions will be allowed to resume operations.
Emphasizing the importance of pharmaceutical regulation in safeguarding public health and national security, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with safety standards. The agency also acknowledged the cooperation of market leadership and the Anambra State Government in facilitating this intervention.
