The Director of Pharmacy and Toxicology at the Ministry of Health in East Darfur State, Dr Mohamed Ahmed Bashir, has reported complaints from the residents regarding the unregistered medications being sold under poor storage conditions.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Dr Bashir acknowledged the health risks posed by the unregistered drugs imported from neighboring countries.
He said: “The primary dangers stem from the unknown composition of these medications and their exposure to sunlight, leading to potential degradation due to high temperatures. Proper storage conditions require that medications be kept at temperatures not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.”
Dr Bashir called on those selling the medications to obtain licenses and rent ventilated spaces soonest. He said the initiatives would control the sale of unregistered drugs before an enforcement campaign is implemented.
A resident of El Daein, Mashaer Mohammed al-Nourin, complained about the medications being sold in unsanitary conditions. She noted: “There is a large group selling drugs to citizens in street alleys in a polluted environments, and they are expired.”
She further explained: “Residents tend to buy these medications because they are cheaper than those in pharmacies.”
Al-Nourin expressed fears that the drugs might cause illnesses instead of treating patients. She urged the authorities to combat the sale of medications in public thoroughfares and to regulate the movement and the licensing of drugs.