MEMBERS OF the Herbal Manufacturers Association of Ghana (H-MAG) in the Ashanti Region have benefited from an educative programme to help update them on the current trends and good manufacturing practices.
The laudable workshop, held at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi, was organised following collaboration between the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the H-MAG, which is made up of seasoned herbal manufacturers in the country.
As part of the programme, experts from the FDA took their time as they thoroughly walked the H-MAG members through modern manufacturing trends that meets the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The herbal manufacturers were taken through topics such as Advertisement of Products, Packaging of Products, Personnel, Equipment, Sanitation and other areas geared towards ensuring good manufacturing practices.
Also, the FDA technical experts educated the participants on data keeping during production period, how to deal with complaints and the steps that manufacturers need to follow to always solicit technical support from the FDA.
Anita Owusu Kufuor, the Ashanti Regional FDA Principal Regulatory Officer, in her opening remarks, said the herbal industry is one of the fastest growing industries, for which reason, they (H-MAG) should be given much attention.
According to her, the FDA, as part of their mandate, periodically organises workshops to expose herbal manufacturers to modern trends and good manufacturing practices to help boost public confidence in their products.
Anita Kufuor said the FDA was aware of the significant contributions of herbal manufacturers in the treatment of ailments, job creation and the growth of the economy, so the FDA would always support them (H-MAG) to deliver on their mandate.
The FDA top official however, cautioned the public against purchasing herbal products without FDA registered numbers embossed on them.
She also stated that the FDA and the H-MAG have a good working relationship, so she admonished other herbal manufacturers to get their products tested and registered by the FDA in order to avoid having issues with the law.
She said due to the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, all the H-MAG members in the Ashanti Region could not be assembled in one day for the workshop, noting that other H-MAG members would benefit from the workshop later on.
Dr. Solomon Appiah Kubi, President of H-MAG, who doubles as the CEO of SOLAK Biochemist Ltd, appealed to President Akufo-Addo to openly endorse their products to boost public confidence.
Dr. Appiah Kubi assured that the herbal industry has the needed capacity to meet the high demand that would emerge with the support of the government, stressing that the herbal industry is a force to reckon with.
He debunked wild rumours that herbal products have negative effects on the human body, saying that contrary to the rumour, “herbal products are safe and efficacious in treating ailments.”
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi