ACPN mops up fake, expired drugs worth N460.864m in A’Ibom

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Akwa Ibom State branch, on Tuesday, displayed mopped up fake and expired drugs worth over N460million seized from the three Senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom state in readiness for destruction.

The chairman of the Association,
Pharm. Anderson Tony announced this during the formal handing over of the expired Drugs to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for proper documentation and disposal.

Pharm Tony stated that the eradication of expired Drugs should be a matter of national urgency and collective responsibility devastating effects of the menace.

“It is with immense gratitude and a sense of accomplishment that I stand before you today as we mark a significant milestone in our collective effort to rid our society of expired drugs.

“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.

“Tragically, unscrupulous individuals within the drug trade have been known to recycle expired medicines, rebranding them with counterfeit expiry dates, thereby exposing unsuspecting consumers to toxic substances.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that the association has successfully mopped up expired drugs worth 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 ACPN Chairman described the
forfeiture of expired drugs in the State as a commendable step forward, stressed that, however, for Nigerians to be truly safeguarded from the danger, similar initiatives must be replicated across all states.

He said the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the proper collection, forfeiture, and destruction of expired drugs was crucial, noting, “Such SOPs should align with global best practices, ensuring compliance with environmental safety and pharmaceutical waste management protocols.

“I wish to appeal to the government to please consider giving a waiver for the forfeiture of drugs. Paying additional fees for expired drugs to be forfeited is an additional burden and does not encourage self-forfeiture of expired medicines to NAFDAC”

In his welcome remarks earlier, the Financial Secretary of the Association in the State, Pharm Donatus Adigom, said the handing-over ceremony demonstrates their commitment to ensuring proper documentation, disposal,l, and destruction of expired medications in the state.

“As community Pharmacists in Akwa Ibom, we have designed and executed robust logistics to mop up these expired medications from all community pharmacies in the state. We started by creating collection centres in the three senatorial zones of the state, Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene zones”

The event, which was held at the Federal Secretariat Uyo, witnessed the handing over of documentation by the ACPN Chairman to the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Naeche John, who commended the association for effort and assured proper disposal and destruction of the expired drugs.