Akwa Ibom: Community pharmacists hand over ₦460m expired drugs to NAFDAC

In a major boost to public health and safety, community pharmacists in Akwa Ibom State have taken a proactive step by voluntarily handing over expired drugs worth ₦460,864,804 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The expired drugs, collected from various pharmaceutical outlets across Akwa Ibom State’s three senatorial districts, were handed over to NAFDAC for destruction on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. This was done by Pharm. Tony Anderson, the State Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), at a ceremony held at the Federal Secretariat in Uyo.

While presenting the expired drugs, Pharm. Anderson clarified that the primary objective of the mop-up exercise was to eliminate expired drugs from circulation, as they posed a significant risk to unsuspecting consumers. He emphasized that this initiative was a demonstration of the commitment of community pharmacists in the state to collaborate with NAFDAC in combating the menace of counterfeit and expired medications.

In his words: “This morning we are pleased to announce that the association has successfully mopped up expired drugs worth; four hundred and sixty million, eight hundred and sixty four thousand, eight hundred and four naira (N460,864,804) for forfeiture.

“Let this occasion mark the beginning of a coordinated effort to permanently expunge expired drugs from our communities. Together, we can build a safer pharmaceutical ecosystem that protects public health and upholds the integrity of our profession”.

“The menace of expired drugs is catastrophic, if not more so than that of counterfeit medicines. In fact, expired drugs are often a subset of counterfeit drugs, given their potential to be fraudulently reintroduced into circulation with falsified extended expiration dates.
Until the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria is overhauled and unauthorized drug markets are permanently closed, the repercussions of this problem will continue to plague us.”

The Akwa Ibom State branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) expressed deep concern over the nefarious activities of rogue individuals involved in the illicit recycling of expired drugs. These unscrupulous elements repackage the expired medications with falsified expiration dates, subsequently selling them to unsuspecting consumers, thereby putting their lives at risk due to potential exposure to toxic substances. “

Pharm. Anderson emphasized that eliminating counterfeit and expired medications from society should be treated as a pressing national priority, requiring collective effort and shared responsibility.

“Whether directly or indirectly, we all remain vulnerable to the devastating effects of this menace,” he cautioned.

Pharm. Anderson stressed that the formal forfeiture of the expired drugs represents a landmark turning point in the battle against the hazards posed by expired pharmaceutical products. He emphasized that the threat of expired drugs is extremely alarming, with potential consequences including organ failure, toxicity, and treatment resistance.

He made a heartfelt appeal for the introduction of waivers for forfeited fake drugs. This, he believes, will incentivize the exercise, considering the significant costs incurred by the council during the seizure and forfeiture process.

Receiving the expired drugs on behalf of NAFDAC, Mr. Naechi John, the agency’s State Coordinator, commended the community pharmacists for their tireless efforts in removing expired drugs from circulation. He gave his assurance that NAFDAC would ensure the destroyed expired drugs are done in line with the agency’s guidelines, a process the agency has efficiently carried out in the past, such as the destruction of fake and expired goods worth over N500 million in Abuja.

Dignitaries from the state government, pharmacists, media representatives, and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector attended the handing over ceremony, marking a significant moment in the efforts to eradicate expired and counterfeit drugs.

Goodwill messages were delivered by several distinguished guests, including the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, who was represented by Dr. Godwin Uban, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services.

Other notable speakers included Hon. Moses Essien, Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Health; Mr. Joseph Eribo, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, represented by SP. Uba Jankaro; Etteidung Ekpoabasi Bassey; and Dr. Akwaowo Akpabio, former Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State chapter.

Additionally, Prince Akpan Ikim, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, was also represented by Mr. John Effiong, a staff member of the agency.

Hon. Moses Essien, Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Health, has pledged to revive a dormant task force committee that targeted fake drugs and consumables in Akwa Ibom State. In response to a request to reactivate this check mechanism by Dr. Akwaowo Akpabio, Essien promised to take action and assured that the council would be updated on the progress soon.

According to the disclosure, the expired drugs will be transported to Anambra State by the agency for destruction in NAFDAC’s incineration facility. This is due to the fact that NAFDAC currently lacks an incineration facility in Akwa Ibom State.

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