Chijioke Iremeka
Pharmacists have stated that climate change may impact on the efficacy of drugs stored in a hot environment and tamper with their expiry dates.
They recommended that drugs be stored in a cool environment, especially in hot climates.
The senior health professionals explained that each medication had specific chemical and physical properties sensitive to heat and humidity.
The pharmacists noted that rising temperatures due to climate change could adversely affect the shelf life of certain drugs, particularly those that require high humidity for stability.
According to the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns caused by changes in solar activity or large volcanic eruptions.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the pharmacists highlighted that high temperatures and extreme heat events resulting from climate change could adversely affect the shelf life of medications.
A former National Secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Jonah Okotie, explained that each drug had unique chemical and physical properties influenced by temperature.
He added that while some medications remain stable under specific conditions, others are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations.
He noted that humidity and heat have significant implications for drug properties, with heat causing medications to deteriorate before their intended expiration dates.
Okotie stated, “Climate change increases the likelihood of drugs spoiling prematurely, which is why it’s recommended to store medications in a cool environment, especially in hot climates.
“This also explains why regulators mandate that drugs be kept in cool, dry places. Professionalism is crucial in this regard, unlike in open drug markets where medications are often treated merely as commodities.
“We, as professionals, go the extra mile to ensure that medications are stored in cool, dry places to maintain their quality and ensure that patients benefit from them.
“This is why people should avoid purchasing drugs from hawkers in open markets, as the quality of such medications is often compromised.
“Even if the expiration date is still far off, climate change and heat can alter the properties of these medicines, leading to ineffective treatment,” Okotie explained.
According to him, professionals are committed to ensuring that drugs remain in optimal condition because their primary goal is to save lives.
He emphasised that when he dispenses medication, he monitors the process to ensure the patient’s recovery, but in contrast, street vendors do not provide the same level of oversight.
Okotie stressed that every medication has specific humidity requirements that must be met to maintain its effectiveness.
He continued, “You need to measure the water content of each drug carefully; otherwise, the medication might not turn out well. If the water content is too high or too low, the tablets could crack or become ineffective.
“Each drug has a specific humidity or water content requirement. However, while climate change can cause variations in temperature and humidity, these issues can be managed effectively if professionals accurately measure and control these factors.
“They ensure that drugs are produced correctly regardless of external conditions because they are made in controlled environments,” Okotie said.
“Once we receive these medications, we store them in the appropriate conditions to ensure patients receive the best quality. This is why quackery should not be tolerated, as it jeopardizes lives, money, and resources,” he added.
Speaking further, a registered pharmacist formerly with GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria, Ifeanyi Onwualili, emphasised the importance of understanding the impact of climate change on pharmaceutical use.
He urged Nigeria to avoid purchasing drugs from open markets, noting that climate change alters environmental conditions for drugs and affects the prevalence and global distribution of human diseases.
Onwualili pointed out that climate-related environmental changes are linked to increased incidence of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders.
He emphasised that individuals with respiratory diseases may experience worsened symptoms due to altered environmental conditions, such as increased pollen counts, leading to higher demand for medications to manage these symptoms.
Onwualili also noted that climate change affects pharmacokinetics, the branch of pharmacology that studies how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolises, and excretes substances, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives, and cosmetics.
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