In a move to safeguard public health, Ghana’s Pharmacy Council has taken the decisive to close down 100 pharmaceutical shops discovered to be operating under improper circumstances and procedures.
The closures, occurring between September and November, have sparked discussions on the importance of regulatory compliance and public safety within the pharmaceutical industry.
Addressing the press, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Dr. Samuel Ekow, has emphasized the critical need for individuals to undergo proper medical tests before consuming medications. This cautionary advice had come in light of the closures, raising concerns about the risks associated with purchasing medications from unlicensed sources.
Dr. Ekow referred to the treatment of malaria as an example to emphasize his point.
“Until you’ve tested and confirmed that you have malaria, you do not have to take anti-malaria treatment just because you have headache, just because you have feelings or a bitter taste in your mouth. Until you test and you find that you are positive for malaria, you do not take anti malaria treatment. Anti malaria medications are part of the antimicrobials we are talking about.”
Amidst these developments, students speaking to Univers News have highlighted the necessity of raising awareness to guide the public towards purchasing medications solely from licensed pharmaceutical shops.
“I know that pharmaceutical shops should be licensed before we purchase drugs from them. However, I’ve not bothered to find out if the shop I’m purchasing my drug from is licensed or not. To increase purchase from licensed shops, I think communication can be done through social media and advertisement.”
“I think awareness can be created to ensure the public buy from license shop through the media.”
“I think we can use the media because most people are on the social media platforms now. We can use the TV sector to create that awareness to ensure that it reaches out to everyone in Ghana so that we don’t end up or some people don’t end up buying drugs from unauthorized places.”
Meanwhile, some of the pharmaceutical shops reported to have undergone closure include prominent companies such as Ernest Chemist, Tobinco Pharnaceuticals, East End Pharmacy among many others.
The closures serve as a reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance in preserving the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals that are made available to the general public. With ongoing discussions over the issue, the emphasis remains on promoting strict laws and knowledgeable consumer decisions to support a safer and more dependable pharmaceutical industry in Ghana.
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Story by: Zaghe Amey Mwinsongma | univers.ug.edu.gh
