Falsified drugs: PWDAN, APDA seek Africa-wide crackdown

…20 countries to attend Lagos assembly on secure medicine supply chains
By Chioma Obinna

The Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria, PWDAN, and the African Pharmaceutical Distributors Association, APDA, on Tuesday called for stronger collaboration among African countries and regulatory authorities to combat the circulation of falsified and substandard medicines across the continent.
The associations said the cross-border movement of pharmaceutical products made stronger cooperation among countries and regulatory authorities necessary to protect the integrity of medicine supply chains.
The call came ahead of the 4th APDA Thematic General Assembly, scheduled for October 6 to 8, 2026, in Lagos, with the theme, “Advancing Pharmaceutical Distribution in Africa: Building Secure Supply Chains Against Falsified Medicines.”
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, PWDAN National Chairman, Pharm. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said the threat of falsified medicines required coordinated action beyond individual countries, particularly because pharmaceutical products move across national borders.
Omaruaye said PWDAN had consistently advocated implementation of Nigeria’s New Drug Distribution Guidelines, stressing that the country already had policies capable of addressing several supply-chain challenges but needed stronger implementation.
He also called for greater support for regulatory agencies and accountability across the pharmaceutical distribution chain, involving manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers.
According to him, the continental focus of APDA would strengthen collaboration among regulatory bodies in different African countries and help tackle the cross-border movement of falsified medicines.
Omaruaye said the forthcoming assembly was expected to produce a Lagos Declaration on Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Integrity, stronger regional collaboration and an action framework on traceability, authentication technology and supply-chain security.
He said the ultimate objective was to build stronger pharmaceutical distribution systems across Africa and ensure access to genuine medicines and trusted healthcare products.
The immediate past Chairman of PWDAN, Pharm. Ernest Okafor, said the association had continued to engage relevant stakeholders and regulators in promoting integrity within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Okafor stressed that the fight against falsified medicines required more than policies and documentation, noting the need for effective enforcement and prosecution of offenders.
PWDAN National Secretary, Pharm. Mrs Olaide Soetan, said the association remained committed to maintaining standards among its members, including compliance with regulatory requirements and good distribution practices.
She said PWDAN members operated under established standards designed to ensure proper warehousing, storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, said the forthcoming assembly would provide an opportunity to showcase efforts being made by responsible players in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical distribution sector.
Afon said the conference was expected to attract participants from more than 20 African countries, including regulators, policymakers, manufacturers, distributors, healthcare professionals, development partners and other key stakeholders.
He said the APDA thematic assembly had previously been hosted by other African countries before Nigeria was given the opportunity to host the fourth edition.
According to him, the participation of stakeholders from different countries would provide an opportunity for knowledge-sharing, collaboration and the development of practical strategies to improve medicine supply-chain integrity.
Afon said the gathering would also draw attention to efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical distribution and supply-chain security in Nigeria.
The assembly is expected to focus on traceability, product authentication, technology, good distribution practices and other measures aimed at strengthening the security of medicine supply chains across Africa.
Other PWDAN members at the press briefing included Pharm. Mrs Rosemary Nikoro, member, Board of Trustees; Pharm. Adenike Abdulazees, ex-officio member; and Pharm. Oluwafunke Awopegba, member.

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