Yesuneh Tefera Mekasha ^1* Ermias Belay ² Abebe Tesfaye Gessese ³ Achenef Melaku ⁴ Bereket Dessalegn ⁵

• ¹ Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ² College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Gondar, Gondor, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ³ Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Gondar, Gondor, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ⁴ Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Medical Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
• ⁵ University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia

Background: 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. 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, about 403-unit packs (66%) expired in veterinary clinics, resulting in a loss of about 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, about 53% of liquid dosage forms were expired. The quantitative study identifies lack of an information system and necessary software, poor store management, and lack of strict accountability as the 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 underline 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 are essential.