The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed expired donated medicines and medical consumables valued at about N59 million in Rivers State.
The expired products, which included antidepressants, anti-ulcer drugs, analgesics, hypertension medicines and other medical consumables, were imported from the United States through the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Area 1 Port in Port Harcourt.
They were intercepted by NAFDAC officials in collaboration with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service during regulatory inspection at the port.
The NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, disclosed this on Monday during the destruction exercise held at the Igwuruta dump site along the Eneka-Igwuruta Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Oligbu said the exercise reflected NAFDAC’s commitment, under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to protecting public health and ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
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He explained that while donated medicines play an important role in supporting healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, expired or unsuitable products must be promptly removed from circulation and safely destroyed.
According to him, the expired medicines were placed on hold after being flagged by NAFDAC inspectors at the port, preventing their potential diversion or unauthorised distribution.
“The presence of expired medicines within the supply chain poses significant risks to public health. Their potential re-entry into circulation can result in misuse, diversion or inappropriate administration, while also undermining public confidence in our healthcare system,” Oligbu said.
He noted that the South-South geopolitical zone occupies a strategic position in Nigeria, with major seaports, commercial centres, healthcare institutions and extensive trading activities, making effective regulatory surveillance and inter-agency collaboration essential.
Oligbu assured that NAFDAC would continue to strengthen its regulatory activities across the region through inspection, surveillance, monitoring, enforcement, public enlightenment and sustained engagement with stakeholders.
He commended the Nigeria Customs Service, sister agencies, development partners and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring the successful interception and destruction of the expired products.
He urged continued collaboration among regulatory agencies and stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain and safeguard public health.
