Health experts have raised concerns over the growing habit of consuming medicines after they fall on the ground, warning that the practice could expose Nigerians to harmful bacteria and contamination.
Findings by ASHENEWS revealed that many people still pick up and consume tablets or capsules immediately after they touch floors in homes, hospitals, schools, and other public places.
Pharmacists interviewed said the practice is common, especially among low-income earners and individuals with limited literacy who fear wasting expensive medication.
The chairman of patent medicine sellers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Mr Gabriel Omoje, said many people have little or no knowledge of the health risks associated with contaminated drugs.
“Most people underestimate the medical risks that come with fallen drugs. They believe that once they clean the tablet, it becomes safe again. That is not always true because microorganisms cannot be seen with the naked eye,” he said.
According to him, medicines that fall on dirty surfaces may become contaminated with bacteria, dust particles, or fungi, depending on the environment.
Some residents interviewed who spoke to ASHENEWS said they often consume expired drugs because replacing them is difficult due to rising medication costs.
A resident of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Yusuf Adamu, said many people cannot afford to discard medicine after accidentally dropping it.
“When you consider how costly drugs are nowadays, most people will still use them, including me—unless it falls into water or somewhere very dirty,” Adamu said.
Dr Idris Ibrahim Kuta, Chief Medical Director of Quality Care Clinic, Minna, warned that contamination may not always produce immediate symptoms, making the risks harder to detect.
“Some microorganisms that cannot be seen by the human eye may contaminate drugs after exposure,” he said, adding that “such contamination could lead to stomach-related infections.”
The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned against consuming food or medicines that fall on the floor, noting that microorganisms can quickly transfer to them and, in some cases, cause diseases.
However, this news medium observed that there is limited public awareness of medicine contamination in Nigeria, compared to food hygiene campaigns regularly promoted by health authorities.
The Secretary of Patent Medicine Sellers in Shiroro Local Government Area, Onah Chukwudi Ernest, advised Nigerians to avoid consuming medicines that fall on exposed or dirty surfaces. He recommended consulting pharmacists where replacement is not immediately possible.
He also called on the government to intensify public sensitisation on safe medicine handling and storage practices across Nigeria.
