Pharmaceutical Society Speaks On FDA's Media Alerts On Alleged Fake Drugs Importation

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) says it is baffled by reports of importation of large quantities of alleged fake drugs into the country. The society says the impasse between the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the importers of these alleged fake drugs "SMACKS OF A SYSTEM REGULATORY FAILURE AND LACK OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT AND INPUTS INTO REGULATORY DECISION-MAKING." In a statement issued by the PSGH on Wednesday, it called on government to urgently investigate the current state of alleged fake importation of medicines in the country and punish those who are found culpable. The society said whiles it endorses �the full application of the law on any person or company actually and scientifically proven to have indeed imported or manufactured fake, substandard or counterfeit medicines illegally into the Ghanaian market since it has the tendency of putting the health of Ghanaians at risk,� the PSGH also "strongly" condemned "unproven and unsubstantiated alerts and allegations on medicines by the FDA or any agency". "...such �alarmist� information creates unnecessary panic among all stakeholders in the medicines industry including patients and the general populace. It further undermines the integrity and efforts of some pharmaceutical companies as their hard-won reputation and businesses risk public disaffection. The ultimate cost to genuine local business and initiative is irreparable," the statement said. The PSGH also expressed regret that its attempt to engage the FDA over some of these issues has not materialized and made reference to a letter dated 6th June 2013. Read the full statement below