Mekasha Yesuneh Tefera, Belay Mekonnen Ermias, Gessese Abebe Tesfaye, Berrie Kassahun, Melaku Beyene Achenef, Dessalegn Bereket
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Department of Veterinary Medicines, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Front Vet Sci. 2025 Jan 7;11:1390891. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1390891. eCollection 2024.
The issue of veterinary pharmaceutical expiration is a significant concern in animal health facilities globally. The existence of veterinary pharmaceutical expiration can be mainly associated with inadequate inventory control, store management, and a lack of effective pharmaceutical regulatory policies and guidelines. Hence, the study aimed to evaluate expired veterinary pharmaceuticals' scope, economic impact, and contributing factors.
A cross-sectional, explanatory sequential study design involving a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was employed among 13 animal health facilities from March 2022 to December 2023 in and around Dessie town, South Wollo, Ethiopia. A key informant interview guide was used to retrieve the qualitative data that were analyzed through thematic content analysis. Then, the collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 25. A mean score was used to determine the critical factors associated with veterinary pharmaceutical expiration.
The study found that the magnitude of expired veterinary pharmaceuticals in the fourth fiscal year was 7%. This wastage rate of veterinary pharmaceuticals led to a loss of approximately 69,564.54 USD. From expired veterinary pharmaceutical unit pack perspectives, approximately 403-unit packs (66%) expired in veterinary clinics, resulting in a loss of approximately 38,229.33 USD, and 209-unit packs (34%) expired in private veterinary pharmacies, incurring a loss of approximately 31,335.22 USD. From Anatomical Therapeutic Classification (ATC), antibiotics accounted for 14.8% of the total financial loss. Additionally, approximately 53% of liquid dosage forms were expired. The quantitative study identifies the lack of an information system and necessary software, poor store management, and lack of strict accountability as critical contributors to veterinary pharmaceutical expiration. Additionally, inadequate inventory management systems and a lack of adherence to established policies and guidelines for managing veterinary pharmaceutical expiration were the most vital contributors as key informants cited.
The financial burden associated with expired veterinary pharmaceuticals exceeded the permissible threshold of 2%, indicating a significant concern for animal health budgets and the aquatic environment. This study underlines that the issue of veterinary pharmaceutical expiration is a critical problem that necessitates policy implications. To mitigate the expiration rate of veterinary pharmaceuticals, collaboration among multidisciplinary veterinary professionals, the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, pharmaceutical supply chain agency, and researchers is essential.
兽药过期问题是全球动物卫生机构普遍关注的重要问题。兽药过期现象的存在主要与库存控制不足、储存管理不善以及缺乏有效的药品监管政策和指南有关。因此，本研究旨在评估过期兽药的范围、经济影响及相关影响因素。
2022年3月至2023年12月期间，在埃塞俄比亚南沃洛州德西镇及其周边地区的13家动物卫生机构中，采用了横断面解释性序列研究设计，涉及定量和定性相结合的方法。通过关键知情人访谈指南获取定性数据，并采用主题内容分析法进行分析。然后，使用SPSS 25版对收集的数据进行编码和分析。采用平均得分来确定与兽药过期相关的关键因素。
研究发现，第四财政年度过期兽药的比例为7%。兽药的这种浪费率导致了约69564.54美元的损失。从过期兽药单位包装的角度来看，约403个单位包装（66%）在兽医诊所过期，造成了约38229.33美元的损失，209个单位包装（34%）在私人兽药店过期，造成了约31335.22美元的损失。从解剖治疗学分类（ATC）来看，抗生素占总经济损失的14.8%。此外，约53%的液体制剂过期。定量研究确定，缺乏信息系统和必要软件、储存管理不善以及缺乏严格问责制是兽药过期的关键因素。此外，库存管理系统不足以及未遵守管理兽药过期的既定政策和指南是关键知情人提到的最重要因素。
与过期兽药相关的经济负担超过了2%的允许阈值，这表明对动物卫生预算和水生环境存在重大担忧。本研究强调，兽药过期问题是一个关键问题，需要制定相关政策。为降低兽药过期率，多学科兽医专业人员、埃塞俄比亚农业局、药品供应链机构和研究人员之间的合作至关重要。
