ACPN partners NAFDAC to check use of expired drugs

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has partnered with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to check the use of expired medicines in the communities across Lagos State and the country at large.

Delegates from ACPN, in a meeting with the Acting Director General (DG) of NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze, in Lagos, yesterday, explained the essence of the partnership.

National Chairman of ACPN, Adewale Aderemi, said his organisation partnered with NAFDAC to destroy expired medicines in the communities because drug dealers and manufacturers in the various communities demand compensation whenever the association wanted to destroy expired medicines in their hold.

He stated that with NAFDAC on their side, members of the association would destroy any expired medicines without compensating the manufacturers and sellers.

Lamented that most people never cared to check expiry dates on items, Aderemi advised consumers to always check the expiry date on drugs before purchase, as such attitude could be risky to their health. He urged druggists in Nigeria to desist from selling expired medications and other sharp practices or face the wrath of the law when caught.

“If you are a patent medicine shop owner, sell drugs that are registered; do not sell expired drugs,” he warned. Aderemi explained that the association is not leaving any stone unturned in uncovering the shoddy deals of persons indulging in unwholesome practices.

He said. “If you own a pharmacy, ensure you practise within the laws stipulated. If you own a shop, please, do not revalidate expired regulated products nor engage in any fraudulent practice.”

Warning practitioners to do everything possible to avoid a violation of rules and regulations, he identified the various challenges facing the association, adding that with a little help from NAFDAC, the association would rid the markets, shops and stores of unwholesome products.

“If we have support from NAFDAC, I can assure you that we will take regulation to almost all parts of this country and ensure that no unwholesome regulated medicine is sold or consumed in Nigeria,” he said.

Eimunjeze commended ACPN leadership for their visit and promised the agency would give them maximum support they need to stop use of expired medical products in the country. She said expired medical products would be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength.

Eimunjeze explained that certain expired medications at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance, which may lead to fatalities.

She said: “Once the expiration date has passed, there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective. If your medicine has expired, do not use it.

“Expired medicines are also not just a risk to the person they were prescribed for, they can injure children and pets, if ingested by mistake. For all these reasons, proper disposal of unneeded medicines is essential.”

National Secretary ACPN, Ambrose Eze, said the association partnering with NAFDAC would help to contain open drug markets in the country, such as hawking and selling the drugs in garages and buses; rather Nigerians will buy drugs on licensed and registered pharmacies.