Over 1,000 Tons of Expired and Poor-Quality Medicines Destroyed in Afghanistan
Afghan authorities destroyed over 1,000 tons of expired and substandard medicines and cosmetics to protect public health.
Kandahar, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : In Kandahar, Afghanistan, authorities have destroyed approximately 1,000 tons of expired and substandard medicines and cosmetics. This action took place on November 2 and follows the seizure of these products over the past 18 months due to illegal imports.
According to Mawlavi Mansoorul Haq Zakir, head of Kandahar Customs, the total value of the confiscated items exceeded $20 million. These products were intercepted at various border entry points where they were being illegally brought into the country.
The seized items included medicines and cosmetics that either had expired or did not meet the country’s quality standards. This initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure public health safety and enforce quality control across Afghanistan.
Earlier in October, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health reported the destruction of 142 tons of expired and low-quality medicines and food items collected in the northern Balkh province over the past year. These products were confiscated during routine inspections of private health centers and food shops.
Local officials stated that monitoring and inspection campaigns would continue, emphasizing that the sale of expired, substandard, or unauthorized medicines and food products would not be tolerated.
Officials assert that this campaign is crucial for consumer safety and maintaining quality standards in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. In September, the Ministry announced the destruction of approximately 1,290 tons of expired, substandard, and illegal medicines, food products, and health-related items throughout the country.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, a spokesperson for the ministry, noted that these items were seized from pharmacies, medical stores, supermarkets, and shops in Kabul and other provinces. Afghan officials are committed to taking action against products that jeopardize public health, reaffirming that quality standards will not be compromised.
