Pharmacists have warned Nigerians against using expired medicines, saying they can be as dangerous as counterfeit drugs and may lead to treatment failure, organ damage or even death.

They explained that medicines can lose their potency after their expiry date, meaning they may no longer provide the intended treatment and could worsen a patient’s condition.

Pharmacists also stressed that proper storage is important, noting that some medicines can become ineffective even before their expiry date if they are exposed to unsuitable conditions.

They urged Nigerians to always check expiry dates, follow storage instructions and purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies.

A former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo, said some expired medicines could become toxic to body organs after their active ingredients deteriorate.

Another pharmacist, Adewale Oladigbolu, advised Nigerians who discover expired medicines at home not to use them, but to seek guidance on proper disposal.

A 2022 study among Lagos residents found that over half of respondents had unused medicines at home, while many were unaware of how to safely dispose of expired or unused drugs.