- Safiu Kehinde
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed expired donated medicines valued at N59 million at the Igwuruta dump site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This was made known in a statement issued on the agency’s official X handle on Thursday.
According to the statement, the medicines, shipped from the United States through the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Area 1 Port, Port Harcourt, comprised antidepressants, anti-ulcer medicines, analgesics and medicines for the management of hypertension.
NAFDAC said the expired drugs were destrpyed to prevent misuse and diversion.
“While donated medicines support healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, expired or otherwise unsuitable products must be promptly removed from the supply chain and safely destroyed to prevent misuse, diversion or unauthorised distribution.” The statement partly read.
Meanwhile, the destruction exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies.
This, accordjng to NAFDAC, highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding the pharmaceutical supply chain.