We have challenges to clamp down fake drugs-FDA
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Mr Vigil Edward Prah – Ashun has stated that his office lacks human and material resources in dealing with fake drugs in the system.
Speaking in an interview in Kumasi yesterday, he added that, the region is so vast that the human capacity to go round to monitor products sometimes becomes difficult.
“We lack vehicles to embark on these exercises, its one of our biggest challenges. you know the Ashanti region is big and going round with just three vehicles is an issue really”
Fake drugs
Expressing concern about the influx of fake medicines in the country recently, Mr. Prah noted that they have been able to do away with most of such drugs from the market especially in Kumasi.
He said the Authority had meanwhile instituted measures to curb counterfeit medicines on the market but needed the support of the security agencies to be totally successful.
Mr. Edward Ashun said their officers were also conducting post- market surveillance to find out whether the products on the market were the same as those certified or not by the Authority to prevent any counterfeit products.
He expressed determination of the FDA to deal with the problem head-on and warned those dealing in unlawful act to reform in their own interest.
“We have arrested three persons who are in the police custody for forging labels saying they will be arraigned before court,and we will soon embark on an intensive exercise,in Kumasi ” he said.
