A pharmacist, Mrs Nkem Ogbidi-Emmanuel has warned consumers against improper storage of Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines during the rainy season.
Ogbidi-Emmanuel gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.
She said that exposure of OTC drugs to moisture and damp conditions could reduce their effectiveness.
The pharmacist explained that OTC medicines were drugs that could be obtained without a doctor’s prescription, with common examples including paracetamol and Vitamin C.
According to her, the ease of obtaining these medicines should not encourage careless use, as they can still cause adverse effects, if taken incorrectly.
She said that some consumers buy only a few tablets or capsules, which pharmacists dispense by counting, and putting them in smaller packets or envelopes, hence, making proper storage after purchase very important.
“You don’t just keep drugs anyhow; you have to store them properly,” Ogbidi-Emmanuel said.
She also said that the rainy season in Benin, characterised by frequent rainfall and damp surroundings, made proper storage of medicines more important.
The pharmacist added that medicines dispensed outside their original packaging require extra care, as poor ventilation and damp conditions could compromise their quality and reduce their potency.
She warned that consumers should not wait until medicines become soft, changed colour or showed other visible signs of damage before taking storage seriously.
Ogbidi-Emmanuel advised members of the public to buy only the quantity of medicines they needed and keep them in cool, dry places away from bathrooms, kitchens, moisture and direct sunlight.
She encouraged consumers who received medicines in smaller quantities to ask pharmacist about the medicine’s expiry date, dosage and correct method of use.
Ogbidi-Emmanuel further advised against taking medicines solely on the basis of previous experience, urging members of the public to seek professional guidance from pharmacist whenever they had doubts about any medication.
She encouraged consumers to patronise registered pharmacies and licensed medicine outlets to obtain safe, properly handled and quality assured products. (NAN)
