•Counterfeit drugs destroyed
The Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, today, incinerated 1,087 kilograms of expired and substandard drugs as part of its commitment to upholding best practices in patient care and environmental safety.
The exercise, carried out in the hospital’s incinerator, involved the destruction of 1,050 kilograms of routine drugs and 37.8 kilograms of controlled substances, reports The PUNCH.
Addressing journalists before the commencement of the exercise, the Head of Pharmacy at the hospital, Adamu Salah, described the process as a routine measure aimed at safeguarding patients and ensuring environmental compliance.
“Today’s activity is part of a routine exercise at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. We destroy drugs that have expired or are deemed substandard to ensure they are not circulated for patient use,” Salah said.
He explained that the volume of drugs disposed of this time was particularly high due to the impact of COVID-19, which led to an excess supply of certain medications.
“For this exercise, we have 1,050kg of routine drugs and 37.8kg of controlled drugs, which have the potential to become toxic to the environment if improperly disposed of. This process ensures that only standard medications are given to our patients, thereby boosting confidence and protecting the environment,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Habu Mu’azu, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the hospital’s public health committee on expired drug disposal, emphasized the importance of the initiative for environmental health.
“This exercise ensures that sharp waste and hazardous medical waste are properly disposed of, creating a healthier environment for everyone. We have involved various stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Health, to ensure compliance,” Mu’azu stated.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency North-East Zonal Office also praised the hospital for its commitment.
The agency’s representative, Sani Auwalu, said, “We were part of the committee overseeing the destruction process. The segregation and disposal of waste comply with environmental regulations, making FTH Gombe a pioneer in the North-East for such an initiative.”
Pharmacist Khadija Adamu, Senior Regulatory Officer at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, lauded the hospital for leading by example in the disposal of expired drugs.
“We’ve been advocating for hospitals across Gombe State to adopt this practice, and we are pleased that FTH Gombe, the largest tertiary hospital in the state, has taken this step,” Adamu said.
She urged other healthcare facilities to emulate the hospital’s actions, noting that improperly handled expired drugs could pose severe risks to patients, including death.
“We encourage hospitals to register with NAFDAC or FTH Gombe for the proper destruction of expired and counterfeit drugs. Routine inspections across pharmacies and facilities reveal the dangers of circulating expired medications, which can lead to fatal outcomes,” Adamu warned.
The exercise highlights the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe’s dedication to prioritising patient safety and environmental sustainability through stringent drug disposal measures.
