The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has reacted to the recent documentary on the alleged illicit opioid imports by the BBC and has called for strengthened regulatory oversight.
PSGH, in a statement, unequivocally condemned the proliferation of unapproved and harmful pharmaceutical products, particularly those containing tapentadol and carisoprodol.
These ranges of drugs, it said, pose a severe public health crisis, adding that these drugs have not been approved anywhere in the world and are linked to rising cases of addiction and severe health complications in the region.
According to the statement, the importation of these drugs has a negative impact on public health and 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 Society called on ”the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Pharmacy Council, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)-Customs Division, Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Authority, National Intelligence Bureau, and all relevant authorities to expedite a thorough, independent investigation into these allegations. If any local pharmacy is found to have breached regulatory protocols, appropriate sanctions should be enforced to maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Ghana”.
To protect public health, the Society proposed several recommendations, including strict pharmacovigilance measures that would require the FDA and the Pharmacy Council to intensify monitoring of pharmaceutical imports and impose harsher penalties for noncompliance.
It also proposed that the government of Ghana collaborate with Indian regulatory bodies and global health organisations to prevent the exportation of unlicensed drugs to West Africa.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
