•The truck carrying expired donated medicines at Igwuruta dump site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed expired donated medicines valued at ₦59 million at the Igwuruta dump site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its official X handle yesterday, stating that the medicines were shipped from the United States through the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Area 1 Port in Port Harcourt.
The destroyed medicines included antidepressants, anti-ulcer drugs, analgesics and medicines used in the management of hypertension.
NAFDAC said that while donated medicines play an important role in supporting healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, expired or otherwise unsuitable products must be removed from the pharmaceutical supply chain and safely destroyed.
According to the agency, the destruction was necessary to prevent the medicines from being misused, diverted or distributed without authorisation.
The exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies.
NAFDAC said the operation underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain and ensuring that medicines available to the public are safe and suitable for use.
