Paying NAFDAC to destroy expired drugs is double jeopardy —-Pharmacists
By Kemi Akintokun
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State branch, has appealed to the Federal Government to stop the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from collecting exorbitant amount before destroying expired drugs.
Lawrence Ekhator, the Chairman of ACPN Lagos Branch, made the appeal in Lagos during its Annual General Meeting.
According to Ekhator, paying exorbitant amount to NAFDAC for destruction of expired drugs after losing money through expiration of such drugs will amount to double jeopardy.
“We are appealing to the government to intervene in the exorbitant amount we pay to NAFDAC before destroying expired drugs.
“Community Pharmacists in true conscience, cannot pay to destroy a product that we have lost money on through expiration.
“For us, that will amount to double jeopardy, and we cannot afford to do it.
“We decided to voluntarily bring out these expired drugs to be destroyed by NAFDAC as professionals,” he said.
Ekhator urged NAFDAC to revisit its position, noting that failure to do so may encourage sharp practices that can put the lives of Nigerians at risk.
He said that the destruction of expiry drugs should be a seamless process, adding that it was part of NAFDAC statutory mandate to destroy expired drugs.
“There are so many other outlets in open drug markets that do not carry out this exercise. But in a situation where we try to do the right thing and we are slammed with heavy fines for doing the right thing.
“We are calling on NAFDAC and the Ministry of Health to look into this issue and ensure that community pharmacists get the expired drugs destroyed seamlessly,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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