NAFDAC Guidelines for Handling and Disposal of Unwholesome Medicine and NAFDAC Regulated Products in Nigeria
Guideline · Health
Guidelines prescribe procedures for handling and disposing of unwholesome medicines and regulated products. They target hospitals, pharmacies, distributors, and NAFDAC enforcement officers. This ensures safe removal from circulation to safeguard public health and the environment.
NAFDAC Guidelines for Handling and Disposal of Unwholesome Medicine and NAFDAC Regulated Products in Nigeria
What Is This Policy?
Guidelines that prescribe the procedures for identifying, segregating, handling, and safely disposing of expired, substandard, counterfeit, or otherwise unwholesome medicines, food, cosmetics, and other NAFDAC-regulated products.
Who Does It Target?
Hospitals and pharmacies with expired stock Pharmaceutical distributors and wholesalers NAFDAC enforcement officers Environmental agencies overseeing waste disposal
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Ensure that unwholesome products are removed from circulation and disposed of safely to protect public health and the environment.
Key Features
Identification: Criteria for classifying products as unwholesome Segregation: Separation and secure storage of unwholesome products pending disposal Disposal Methods: Approved destruction methods including incineration, encapsulation, and chemical treatment Witnessed Destruction: Disposal must be witnessed by NAFDAC officials and documented Environmental Safety: Disposal methods must comply with environmental protection standards
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All applicable regulated entities Lead Agency: NAFDAC Enforcement: NAFDAC inspections and compliance monitoring
How to Access
Regulated entities must comply with these guidelines. Identify and segregate unwholesome products Notify NAFDAC and schedule witnessed destruction Maintain disposal records for regulatory compliance
Official Resources
Website: nafdac.gov.ng Contact: NAFDAC, Abuja
Legal Framework
Issued under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 1993 (as amended). Operates alongside the Food and Drugs Act Cap F32 LFN 2004, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act, the ICH Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines, WHO prequalification standards, and the Falsified Medicines guidelines adopted by Nigeria. Draws on WHO guidelines on the disposal of unwanted medicines, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, and the Basel Convention provisions on hazardous pharmaceutical waste management.