The Food & Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacy Council are collaborating to fight the illegal importation, distribution and sale of unprescribed Tramadol in the country.
The two organisations, including other sector agencies, will be working to boost surveillance at the country’s entry points and suspected distribution sites.
“We are collaborating with the Pharmacy Council because they are responsible for the practice of pharmacy and also with the health facilities regulatory agency which also registers pharmacies and chemicals and licensed medicines sellers,” Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Delese Mimi Darko, said on the Citi FM Breakfast Show yesterday.
According to her, a joint task force will also be created as part of activities to champion that agenda, adding that it will, among other things, visit possible places that Tramadol is sold, visit chemical shops and other places.
“We are forming a task team in the next few days. They are doing what they are doing but we think that we should actually come together and move out wider within the regions,” she added.
Tramadol is a pain relief drug, which according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems, as well as damage vital organs in the human body if abused.
Recent surveys have shown that the drug is being abused by some youth and some market women, drivers and in some cases students.
According to the FDA, its investigation shows that most of the drug comes into the country through unapproved routes, making it difficult for them to track its final destination.
“Our investigations revealed that there are people who were sourcing it from unapproved routes, not from the pharmacy and hospitals. We have intensified monitoring at the ports of entry, trying to curb it through the unauthorized routes,” Olivia Boateng, Head of Substance Abuse at the FDA, added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri