Kano Taskforce Committee Hands Over Confiscated Illicit Drugs Worth N1.5B to DMCSA

By Frank Pinicop 

The Kano State Taskforce Committee on Motor Parks and Other Public Spaces has handed over confiscated illicit drugs worth N1.5 billion to Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency for safe keeping before destruction.

Handing over the seized commodities, the Chairman of the Committee, Major Adamu Abubakar Usman (Rtd), said the drugs, which include fake, adultered, counterfeit, expired and other harmful substances, were confiscated from dealers at Dangwaro Market

Major Usman assured the people in the state that the Committee will not relent in its responsibility of protecting public health and ensuring compliance with health standards, stressing that the committee is working with market leadership to identify and seize such illicit drugs.

"This is a powerful reminder that our surveillance systems are working, and that those who seek to endanger public health will not go unchecked," he warned, urging traders and drug handlers to adhere to regulations and encouraged citizens to buy medicines from reputable sources only.

Recieving the items, the Director-General of DMCSA Pharm. Gali Sule reaffirmed the commitment of Kano Government, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to continue protecting the health and lives of the residents of the state.

"On behalf of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), I formally receive these confiscated fake, adulterated, counterfeit, and expired medicines. The sight of these products is deeply concerning.

"These dangerous products are not just illegal commodities —they are silent threats. They undermine treatment outcomes, fuel drug resistance, erode public trust in our health system, and, most tragically, cost innocent lives. Let this seizure send a clear and uncompromising message: DMCSA, together with our Taskforce Committee and security partners, will continue to pursue, expose, and prosecute all those involved in the distribution of unsafe and unauthorized medicines."

The DG further commended the Taskforce Committee for their dedication, vigilance, and professionalism, adding thatthe tireless efforts of the Committee have prevented potentially devastating consequences for countless families.

Pharm. Sule then called on importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers to uphold the highest standards of compliance and integrity. He also urged the public to purchase medicines only from licensed and authorized outlets and to report any suspicious products to appropriate authority.

The seized drugs include 199 cartons of Benzhexol Hydrochloride BP 5mg tablets, 5 cartons of Cinbul tablets, Levofloxacin 500mg, 3 cartons of Cikatetem 60 ml, 6 cartons of Betaclox, 80 packets of Augementin 1g, among others.

Medipool Delegation Visits Kano DMCSA to Assess DRF Operations

By Maryam Abubakar Tukur 

As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) operations in Kano State, the Medipool team has, on Thursday, paid a strategic visit to Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA).

Speaking during the meeting, Kafayat Babalola, the Medipool Project Lead, said the visit is aimed to gain first-hand insight into DMCSA’s DRF management processes, including procurement, warehousing, distribution, inventory control, and financial sustainability mechanisms, adding that the engagement forms part of Medipool’s broader mandate to support efficient, transparent, and sustainable supply chain systems for essential medicines and medical consumables.

Babalola also emphasized the importance of strong DRF systems in ensuring uninterrupted availability of qualitative medicines at public health facilities. She further noted that lessons learned from Kano State would inform future technical support, collaboration, and system optimization initiatives.

Welcoming the Medipool team, the Director General of DMCSA Pharm. Gali Sule reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and adherence to best practices in pharmaceutical supply chain management, stressing that the ongoing reforms at DMCSA, as approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, are aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing stock-outs, and improving access to essential medicines for residents of Kano State.

Pharm. Sule said the visit underscores the shared commitment of Medipool and Kano State DMCSA to strengthen public health systems through effective drug financing and supply chain management, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare delivery and health outcomes.

During the visit, the Medipool delegation held technical discussions with DMCSA management and key operational staff, reviewing existing workflows and identifying areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement. The team also toured DMCSA facilities to better understand storage practices, logistics systems, and data management approaches supporting DRF operations.

The Medipool Nigeria is a government-backed initiative established to centralize procurement and improve access to affordable, qualitative drugs and medical consumables across Nigeria through efficient supply chain and financing mechanisms.

Developed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to aggregate demand across public/private sectors, stimulate local manufacturing, and strengthen supply chain transparency, the Medipool is Nigeria's first national Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in May 2025 to lower healthcare costs and improve access to essential medicines.

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), on the other hand, is responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of drugs and medical consumables for public health facilities across the state through the administration of the Drug Revolving Fund.