Eight chemist shops have been shut down by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) across the country for selling high-dose tramadol above the legally permitted levels.
The affected outlets, according to the Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Alexander Twum-Barimah, included six drug stores and two pharmacies, promising that the Commission will continue to shut more shops if they breach the legally permitted guidelines.
In an interview on Woezor TV Sunday, September 28, 2025, he said: “As I sit here, if I’m not mistaken, we’ve closed not less than six drug stores and two pharmacies or whatever mixed together. We will continue to close more.”
Mr Twum-Barimah explained that while tramadol itself is not banned, the law permits only 50 mg and 100 mg doses, which must be prescribed by a medical officer. He said some chemist shops and pharmacies were selling doses of 150 mg and 250 mg, which are prohibited in the country.
“By law, you can use 50 mg or 100 mg maximum, and that should be on prescription by a doctor. How can anyone sell 250 mg tramadol for a person to take?” he asked.
The approved doses, he noted, are mainly used for pain management, such as after accidents or dental procedures, which he said must be dispensed only on prescription by a medical doctor.
The Deputy Director-General expressed concern about increasing drug use among the youth. He recounted a case where a 16-year-old boy was found with two rolls of marijuana.
“There was a person we contacted at that time and we found a 16-year-old boy carrying two sticks of marijuana. Sixteen? Two sticks. Why should that happen?” Mr Twum-Barimah asked.
He said the problem has now spread beyond senior high schools, with reports of pupils in some basic schools also using marijuana and other substances.
Two persons jailed ten years for possession of tramadol in North East Region
