By Mahmud Aminu Hanga
History of the Drug Market in Kano
Kano’s pharmaceutical market, initially located in Sabon Gari Market, has long been the hub for drug distribution in northern Nigeria. Over the years, the market became overcrowded, poorly regulated, and a hotbed for counterfeit drug sales, prompting the Kano State Government to relocate the market. In line with the national push to reform the pharmaceutical sector, the government directed the open drug marketers to move to the Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) on Zaria Road, Kano. This move, part of the government’s coordinated efforts to meet regulatory standards set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ensures better drug regulation, quality control, and safety for consumers.
The Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) was built to serve as a regulated environment where wholesale pharmaceutical businesses can operate under more controlled conditions, ensuring compliance with national health standards. The relocation to this new site was finalized in 2023, establishing it as Kano’s official drug distribution hub.
Market Structure
The Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for the sale and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The center aims to eliminate the challenges previously encountered at Sabon Gari Market, including poor infrastructure, counterfeit drugs, and inadequate security.
1. Pharmaceutical Wholesaling: The core of the Dangwauro CWC is its wholesale pharmaceutical distribution. Vendors operating at the center supply a wide range of medicines, from essential over-the-counter drugs to specialized medications for chronic diseases. The center handles an estimated ₦500 million to ₦1 billion in pharmaceutical products each day.
2. Medical Equipment: The center also accommodates the sale of medical equipment and supplies, providing hospitals, clinics, and health centers with the tools and devices they need to operate. This includes diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, and hospital supplies, generating an estimated ₦100 million to ₦200 million daily.
3. Regulated Traditional Medicine Sales: Like its predecessor, the CWC also supports the sale of traditional herbal medicines, albeit under tighter regulation to ensure product safety and quality. The traditional medicine sector, while smaller than the pharmaceutical segment, contributes ₦20 million to ₦50 million in daily sales.
4. Informal Traders: A small section of the market still caters to informal traders, although efforts have been made to ensure that all vendors comply with strict regulatory standards. Informal traders at the CWC contribute approximately ₦50 million to ₦100 million daily to the overall market turnover.
The CWC’s facilities can accommodate over 6,000 vendors, including licensed pharmaceutical distributors, drug manufacturers, and wholesalers, with a total daily turnover estimated between ₦700 million to ₦1.5 billion.
Capacity and Infrastructure
The Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) was designed to be a modern pharmaceutical trading hub, covering approximately 15 hectares of land. It includes multiple warehouses, offices, and retail spaces, each tailored to the needs of pharmaceutical vendors. The market’s capacity is structured to
house over 6,000 registered vendors, with ample room for expansion as the market grows.
Key infrastructure at the center includes:
➢ Storage Facilities: Proper drug storage is a priority at the CWC. Vendors have access to climate-controlled warehouses to ensure the safe handling of temperature-sensitive medications.
➢ Transportation and Accessibility: The CWC is strategically located along Zaria Road, a major artery that connects Kano to other northern states. This makes it a key distribution center for pharmaceutical products throughout the northern region and neighboring countries.
➢ Security: The market features round-the-clock security, surveillance cameras, and controlled access points to ensure the safety of products and personnel.
➢ Waste Management: Adequate waste disposal systems have been put in place to manage pharmaceutical waste, preventing environmental contamination and ensuring the safe disposal of expired drugs.
Key Figures in the Market’s Development
➢ Alhaji Aminu Dabo: As one of the key promoters of the project, Alhaji Aminu Dabo played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center, ensuring its compliance with NAFDAC and international standards.
➢ Kano State Government: The state government has been heavily involved in the planning, funding, and regulatory oversight of the market, ensuring it meets national and international drug safety standards.
➢ Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN): The PCN works in close collaboration with the market’s administration to regulate the activities of pharmaceutical vendors, ensuring they comply with licensing and safety regulations.
Economic Impact
The relocation of the drug market to Dangwauro CWC has significant economic implications for Kano State and Nigeria’s northern region.
➢ Job Creation: The market has created employment opportunities for over 10,000 individuals, including vendors, transporters, and warehouse staff.
➢ Revenue Generation: The annual turnover of the market is estimated between ₦250 billion to ₦400 billion, with tax contributions to the state government ranging from ₦10 billion to ₦15 billion annually.
➢Regional Hub: With its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the CWC has solidified Kano’s position as a regional pharmaceutical distribution hub for West Africa.
Challenges Facing the Drug Market
1. Counterfeit Drugs: Despite the move to the CWC, the issue of counterfeit drugs remains a concern. Regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria continue to work on strategies to curb the circulation of fake drugs within the market.
2. Compliance Issues: Some vendors face challenges in meeting the regulatory standards required to operate at the CWC. Ongoing efforts are needed to ensure all traders are properly licensed and comply with national drug safety laws.
3. Logistics and Supply Chain: While the center has improved logistics, the rising cost of transportation and currency fluctuations have made it more expensive for vendors to import drugs and medical supplies, affecting profitability.
4. Limited Awareness: The general public’s awareness of the new market location and the importance of purchasing from regulated vendors remains low. Public health campaigns are needed to promote the CWC as the legitimate source for pharmaceuticals.
Recommendations for Modernization
1. Strengthening Regulatory Enforcement: NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria should continue to work closely with the market administration to enforce regulations, ensuring that vendors comply with drug safety standards.
2. Public Health Campaigns: Increasing public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit drugs and the importance of buying from regulated markets is essential to the success of the CWC.
3. Digitalization of Operations: Introducing a digital tracking system for pharmaceutical products can help streamline operations, reduce the risk of counterfeit drugs, and improve inventory management for vendors.
4. Enhanced Security Measures: Increasing security personnel and surveillance infrastructure will further safeguard against theft and the illegal sale of counterfeit drugs.
5. Expansion of Storage Facilities: As the market grows, expanding storage and warehousing facilities will be critical to meet the increasing demand for pharmaceutical products and medical supplies.
Conclusion
The relocation of Kano’s pharmaceutical market to the Dangwauro Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) marks a significant step in modernizing the state’s healthcare and drug distribution systems. With its improved infrastructure, security, and regulatory framework, the CWC has the potential to become one of West Africa’s leading pharmaceutical hubs. However, addressing challenges related to counterfeit drugs, regulatory compliance, and logistics is crucial to ensuring the market’s long-term success and sustainability.