Counterfeit drugs worth N1.3bn seized at Kano pharmaceutical hub

Authorities at the Kano Pharmaceutical Coordinated Wholesale Centre (KPP-CWC) have seized counterfeit and substandard drugs valued at N1.3 billion, marking a major milestone in the ongoing fight against fake pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.

The confiscation, announced less than a year after the closure of the chaotic Sabon Gari open drug market, followed enhanced quality control and regulatory measures implemented at the newly established centre in Dangwauro village, Kano.

Chief Superintendent Pharmacist Hajiya Furera Ado Muhammed disclosed the development during a press briefing on Thursday. She said the seizure resulted from a series of laboratory tests and regulatory inspections, which revealed that 40.3% of sampled pharmaceutical products failed quality standards.

“This centre has completely changed how medicines are distributed and monitored in Kano. We’ve not only protected the public from harmful drugs but also raised the bar for pharmaceutical quality,” she said.

The KPP-CWC now operates under close supervision from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ensuring rigorous compliance with regulatory standards.

One of the centre’s key innovations is the installation of a World Health Organization-certified cold storage facility imported from the U.S. The solar-powered cold room operates round-the-clock, maintaining temperatures between +2°C and +8°C to ensure safe storage of thermosensitive medicines, including vaccines.

Random tests on drug samples for Active Ingredient Content (AIC) have revealed alarming irregularities, prompting swift regulatory actions and heightened surveillance.

The Kano centre is part of a national initiative by the Federal Ministry of Health to reform Nigeria’s drug distribution system. The Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) model was introduced by the current Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, to replace unregulated open drug markets.

Although four states—Kano, Lagos, Anambra, and Abia—were chosen for the pilot phase, Kano remains the only state to have fully implemented the reform.

Authorities say the centre’s success has not only improved pharmaceutical safety but also saved countless lives across the state.