The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has served notice that members who are found to have misconducted themselves and proven beyond reasonable doubt and established by a competent jurisdiction that they have erred in law would have their membership revoked.
Such individuals, PSGH noted, will no longer be allowed to practice in the pharmaceutical industry.
This was disclosed in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM by Executive Member, Dr. Richmond Adusa-Poku.
He was responding to a question he was asked about sanctions that the Society has in place against members that breach regulations in the pharmaceutical sector.
”Illegal drug importation is completely unacceptable. So, for example, if a member(s) illegally imports drugs and the law apprehends them, arrests them, processes them for court, prosecutes them, and finds them guilty of the crime and sentences them to jail, the moment the judgement is delivered, you have committed a criminal offence. The Pharmacy Council mandatorily keeps the list of registered pharmacists in good standing in Ghana. So if a member is found guilty by law of such a criminal offence, the PSGH will notify the Pharmacy Council. The name of the pharmacist will be expunged from the records forever.
”If that is done, you will not be able to practice in the country again, even after you are released from prison. After serving your sentence, you would need to find another job. When the Pharmacy Council automatically expunges your name from the register of pharmacists in good standing, you will no longer be a PSGH member. Your career as a pharmacist in Ghana has ended.”
Meanwhile, PSGH has issued a statement in response 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.
‘’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”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
