By Kemi Olatunde

Drugs or health commodities donated by partners with less than six months’ expiration are no longer acceptable in Ondo State.

This move is aimed at eradicating the incidence of expired drugs in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, stated this on Thursday during a meeting of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Technical Working Group in Akure.

According to him, drugs with less than three months to expiration can only be accepted with special approval from the authority of the health ministry. He noted that those with less than six months to expiration must be flagged by officers in charge.

Ikuomola, who also serves as the committee chairman, commended partners for their continued support to the state, urging them to assist in ensuring the availability of family planning commodities.

While calling for teamwork among committee members, he emphasised the need for unity in addressing challenges encountered in the supply chain management process, in order to move the state forward.

In his welcome address, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Olugbenga Lasekan, stated that the committee is responsible for making decisions on both the movement and usage of health commodities in the state to prevent their expiration.

Lamenting the volume of expired commodities, he explained that the committee has been set up to enforce zero tolerance towards the expiration of commodities in the state.

He expressed appreciation to the partners and called for further support from them.

He stressed the need for effective use of commodities before their expiration, saying, “Drugs that are due to expire in less than six months should be distributed to health facilities as soon as possible.”

The Coordinator of the Logistics Management Coordinating Unit (LMCU) of the Pharmaceutical Services Department, Pharm. Courage Oyeto, stated that the meeting aimed to discuss and formulate strategies for effective supply chain management, as well as to share insights and best practices.

She noted that despite the challenges, the unit is determined to improve collaboration with stakeholders, develop an indigenous electronic stock reporting dashboard, enhance training and mentorship through improved monitoring and supportive supervision, and integrate essential medicines.

The Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr Richard Adesoji, stressed the need for the government to implement policies to guide the donation of drugs and health commodities from partners.

In response, representatives of the partners assured continued support for the health sector.