Strengthen regulatory framework to check harmful pharmaceutical products in the country —PSGH
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has called for strengthened regulatory framework to check proliferation of harmful pharmaceutical products on the Ghanaian markets.
It said the continuous breach in enforcing regulatory standards within the pharmaceutical space posed grave public health risks and ought to be addressed.
A statement signed by the President of the PSGH, Dr Samuel Kow Donkoh, to that effect yesterday followed a viral BBC investigation over the weekend that exposed the illegal import of highly addictive opioids into the country.
The BBC Eye investigation revealed an Indian pharmaceutical company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals based in Mumbai, which is in the business of producing fake medications and exporting them to some West African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
The investigation found out that all products contained the same harmful mix of ingredients: tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant so addictive and banned in the Europe.
The combination of these drugs are not licensed for use anywhere in the world as they could cause breathing difficulties and seizures while an overdose can kill.
Despite the risks, these opioids are popular as street drugs in many communities in Ghana where they are sold cheaply and some teenagers dissolve them in an alcoholic energy drink to increase the high.
Condemning findings of the report, the PSGH cautioned that the situation held implications beyond public health to border even on national security.
“The abuse of opioids has devastated communities, contributing to increased substance dependency, mental health disorders, and socio-economic challenges.
The Society is deeply troubled by reports that Ghana has become a key transit hub for these dangerous drugs despite regulatory measures designed to prevent such occurrences,” the statement stated.
The PSGH recommended that as a matter of urgency, surveillance at the country’s entry points is heightened to minimise importation of unapproved drugs.
It further called for stronger monitoring of pharmaceutical imports and interagency collaboration to curb illicit activities while increasing public awareness about the dangers of opioid abuse and responsible medication use.
While the Society expressed its commitment to ensuring a safe and effective pharmaceutical space, it called for multi-stakeholder efforts to achieve that and protect public safety.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
