Former Director-General of National Agency For Food Drugs Administration and Control  (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, says the establishment of drug mart is one of the most practical ways to check inflow of adulterated and fake drugs into the country.

Prof. Akunyili who stated this one the occasion of the foundation laying ceremony of the Pharmaceutical Storage and Distribution Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, unpointed out that the major source of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria could be traced to 1 patriotic traders whose antics had existed since independence. She said that “after analyze previous attempts by governments to close the existing drug markets, I came to realize that these attempts failed because of the non-provision of an alternative structure to replace the markets”.

Akunyili whose NGO, Dora Akunyili Foundation for Safe Medicines is partnering with Bayelsa Government to actualizing the dream of putting in place a drug market or drug distribution centre in the state, further said that the idea, is to create an orderly network and conducive environment for the sale and distribution of wholesome pharmaceutical products under the supervision of pharmacists. She however, commended the government of Bayelsa for setting the pace in this direction, saying that the project when it comes on board will generate revenue for the state.

In his speech, the Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, said the project was conceived to serve as a pivotal in supplying  drugs to numerous health centres and hospitals  being established across the state. Dickson disclosed that the centre will not only manufacture and distribute drugs, but will also address some other health needs of the people.