By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA), led by its Director General, Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, has visited Langtang North Local Government Area following reports of fake and substandard drugs in circulation.
During the visit, the DG met with the Director of Primary Health Care in the council, Mr. Bako, who confirmed that expired and substandard drugs had been discovered. He explained that the drugs were collected, moved to the secretariat, and later taken to a temporary site where they were burned.
Bako disclosed that although the exact quantities were not recorded, a list of the affected drugs and consumables was compiled. He said staff were immediately mobilised for inspection once the matter came to their notice, and pharmaceutical checks revealed several expired products.
While commending the swift response of the Langtang North health personnel, the DG cautioned against burning drugs, describing it as dangerous and a potential health risk to nearby communities. He noted that the rainy season may have helped to reduce the environmental impact in this case.
Bot directed the Director of Primary Health Care to revisit the site, recover the remnants of the burned drugs, and forward them to the laboratory for proper testing to determine further action. He also stressed the need for adherence to proper procedures, reminding health workers that only the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is mandated to issue directives in such situations.
Some of the expired consumables identified included dextrose saline, normal saline, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, spirit, needles and syringes, chromic catgut, gauze, cotton wool, sanitary pads, pregnancy test strips, and RVS strips.
Expired drugs identified included syrup paracetamol, suspension metronidazole, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine tablets, Septrin tablets and syrup, vitamin C tablets, Ampiclox capsules, tetracycline capsules, diclofenac tablets, Feldene capsules, omeprazole capsules, metronidazole tablets, Fesolate tablets, Plasil tablets, Piriton tablets, folic acid tablets, multivite tablets, oral rehydration salts (ORS), children’s cough syrup, suspension mebendazole, among others.
The DG expressed regret over the incident and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of drugs and medical consumables across the state.
