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 products were imported from the United States through the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Area 1 Port in Port Harcourt before NAFDAC officials, working with the Nigeria Customs Service, intercepted and placed them on hold.

The NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, disclosed this on Monday during the destruction exercise at the Igwuruta dump site along the Eneka-Igwuruta Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Oligbu said the exercise reflected NAFDAC’s commitment under its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to protecting public health and ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet required standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.

He said donated medicines were important to healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities, but stressed that expired or otherwise unsuitable products must be removed from circulation and safely destroyed.

The destroyed products included antidepressants, anti-ulcer medicines, analgesics, hypertension drugs and medical consumables.

Oligbu said the products were flagged by NAFDAC inspectors at the port in collaboration with Customs officials and subsequently placed on hold pending their destruction.

He warned that allowing expired medicines to remain within the pharmaceutical supply chain could expose Nigerians to health risks through possible diversion, misuse or unauthorised distribution.

According to him, the re-entry of such products into circulation could also undermine public confidence in the healthcare system.

Oligbu said the South-South geopolitical zone required strong regulatory surveillance because of its strategic importance, with major seaports, commercial centres, healthcare facilities and extensive trading activities located in the region.

He said NAFDAC would continue to strengthen its regulatory operations across the zone through inspections, surveillance, monitoring, enforcement, public awareness campaigns and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Oligbu also commended the Nigeria Customs Service, sister agencies, development partners and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring the successful execution of the destruction exercise.

He said sustained collaboration and responsible regulatory practices were essential to strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain and protecting public health.