NAFDAC destroys N59m expired donated medicines in Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has destroyed expired donated medicines valued at N59 million at the Igwuruta dumpsite along the Eneka-Igwuruta Road in Rivers State.

NAFDAC said the medicines were brought into Nigeria from the United States through the Nigerian Ports Authority Area 1 Port in Port Harcourt, where they were intercepted by the agency’s inspectors working with officials of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The expired products were contained in a 40-foot container and included antidepressants, anti-ulcer drugs, painkillers, hypertension medicines and medical consumables.

Speaking during the destruction exercise on Sunday, NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, said the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment, under the leadership of its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, to protecting Nigerians and ensuring that medicines in the country meet required standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.

Oligbu acknowledged the importance of donated medicines in supporting healthcare delivery but stressed that products that expire or become unsuitable for use must be removed from circulation and destroyed safely.

He warned that expired medicines in the supply chain could pose serious risks to public health if they found their way back into circulation, as they could be misused, diverted or wrongly administered, while also weakening public confidence in the healthcare system.

The South-South Zonal Director said the region’s strategic importance, with major seaports, commercial centres, healthcare institutions and extensive trading activities, makes strong regulatory surveillance, enforcement and cooperation among government agencies necessary.

He assured residents that NAFDAC would continue to strengthen its regulatory activities across the zone through inspections, surveillance, monitoring, enforcement, public education and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The destruction exercise was carried out with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, which provided security for the operation.

Oligbu said the collaboration showed the agencies’ joint commitment to preventing the diversion, misuse and unauthorised distribution of expired, substandard or otherwise unfit medical products.

“Our objective is not merely to seize or destroy non-compliant products. More importantly, we seek to promote a culture of regulatory compliance in which manufacturers, importers, distributors, healthcare professionals, development partners and other stakeholders understand and fulfil their regulatory obligations.

“I would also like to use this opportunity to call on organisations and institutions involved in the donation of medicines to ensure that such donations are properly planned, coordinated and responsibly managed.

“Medicines should be donated with sufficient remaining shelf life to allow adequate time for their transportation, distribution and effective utilisation before expiry.

“Let me assure Nigerians that NAFDAC will continue to place public health at the centre of its regulatory responsibilities. We shall remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that only medicines that are safe, efficacious and of assured quality are available to the Nigerian public.

“I commend the Nigeria Customs Service, our sister agencies, development partners and all stakeholders for their collaboration and support in making this exercise possible.

“Together, through sustained cooperation and responsible regulatory practices, we can strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain and protect the health of our people, said.