The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured Parliament that the government is stepping up efforts to combat the illegal sale, distribution and misuse of dangerous opioids across the country.
Appearing before Parliament to respond to questions concerning the Ministry of Health, the Minister said authorities are strengthening regulatory, operational and public health interventions to curb the illicit trade in highly addictive substances, including tapentadol and the street drug commonly known as “Red.”
Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has not approved or registered any pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol for medical use in Ghana.
Consequently, he stressed that the sale, distribution and possession of such products are illegal under the country’s medicines regulatory framework.
“The FDA has not registered any pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol for medical use in Ghana. Therefore, the sale, distribution and possession of these products remain unlawful,” the Minister told the House.
He explained that the FDA, working closely with the Pharmacy Council, has intensified routine inspections of both retail and wholesale pharmacies nationwide.
These inspections are aimed at identifying and removing unregistered medicines from the market while educating medicine retailers on the dangers associated with opioid abuse.
According to the Minister, illegal opioid products detected during these operations are confiscated, and individuals or businesses found violating the law face sanctions in accordance with existing regulations.
Mr. Akandoh said the government’s actions form part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health by preventing the abuse of controlled substances and ensuring that medicines available on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement and protect communities from the growing threat posed by illicit opioids.
By 1960news.com
