Evaluation of the Extent of Expired Medicines in Pharmacies and Drug Wholesale outlets in Mazar-I-Sharif City

الملخص

Drugs are substances or groups of substances used for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various human and animal diseases. The term “drug expiration” refers to the specific date after which the manufacturer no longer guarantees the stability, effectiveness, or safety of the product. This study aimed to quantify the extent of expired medicines in pharmacies and drug wholesale outlets in Mazar-i-Sharif City. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province. Data were collected from 288 pharmacies and 15 drug wholesale outlets using supervisory checklists completed by inspectors from the Balkh Food and Drug Directorate between April 2024 and September 2024. The collected information was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The study also aimed to provide strategies to improve stock management and reduce pharmaceutical waste. A total of 15,285 expired medicine packages were recorded. Of these, 85.95% were prescription medicines, and 14.05% were over-the-counter (OTC) products. By pharmacological class, vitamins and minerals (23.5%) and anti-infectives (23.0%) together accounted for nearly half of all expired items, followed by gastrointestinal agents (13.7%), analgesics (8.6%), and cardiovascular drugs (5.9%). Other classes, including endocrine, respiratory, neurologic, antihistamines, and dermatologic agents, contributed smaller proportions. By dosage form, liquid preparations comprised the largest share (60%), mainly ampoules and syrups; solids accounted for 32%, predominantly tablets and capsules; and semi-solids represented 8%, primarily creams and ointments. During the first six months of 1403 SH, 15,285 expired medicine packages were documented in Mazar-i-Sharif, with the highest contributions from vitamins/minerals, anti-infectives, and liquid dosage forms, particularly ampoules and syrups. These findings highlight the need for strengthened stock management, adherence to proper storage conditions, and optimized procurement and distribution planning to reduce pharmaceutical waste and enhance the quality of healthcare services