The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured Parliament that the government is intensifying efforts to curb the illegal sale and misuse of dangerous opioids across the country.
Appearing before the House to answer questions relating to his Ministry, the Minister stated that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) continues to implement regulatory, operational and public health measures to tackle the illicit trade in substances such as tapentadol and the street drug known as “Red.”
He further explained that the FDA has not registered any pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol for medical use in Ghana. As a result, the sale, distribution and possession of such products remain illegal.
The Minister further stated that the FDA, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council, conducts regular inspections of retail and wholesale pharmacies to detect unregistered medicines, educate retailers on the dangers of opioid abuse, and seize illegal products. Offenders, he added, are sanctioned in line with the law.
He noted that these measures are aimed at protecting public health, preventing the misuse of controlled substances and ensuring that medicines are supplied in accordance with approved regulations.
