Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged pharmacists to partner with his administration to tackle fake drugs and unregistered medicine outlets in the state.
Soludo made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged Ijele 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
The conference, which runs from November 2 to 7, has the theme, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice, and Policy for National Impact.”
Describing Anambra as Nigeria’s pharmaceutical headquarters, the governor urged the PSN to strengthen professional regulation and work with the state government to eliminate counterfeit medicines and illegal pharmacies.
He also highlighted his administration’s healthcare initiatives, including the revitalization of primary healthcare centers and a free antenatal care program, which he said had benefited more than 250,000 pregnant women and supported over 900 free caesarean deliveries.
Soludo further disclosed that work was ongoing on a pharmaceutical hub and Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Oba, aimed at improving medicine distribution and tackling the circulation of fake and substandard drugs. The facility is expected to be completed in early 2027.
Earlier, PSN President, Ayuba Ibrahim, commended the governor for supporting the pharmacy profession and bringing the society’s annual conference to Anambra.
The society subsequently presented Soludo with an excellence award in recognition of his contributions to pharmacy practice.
The conference brings together pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening pharmaceutical practice and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
