The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has counseled the Customs Division of the Ghana Income Authority (GRA); the Narcotics Management Fee (NACOC); the Minister of Well being, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh; the Meals and Medicine Authority (FDA), and different stakeholders for his or her swift motion in intercepting a big cargo of opioids price GH₵20 million on the Tema Port.
In line with the affiliation, this profitable operation underscores the pressing want for stronger regulatory enforcement to forestall Ghana from getting used as a transit hub for illicit prescribed drugs.
“It’s worthy of word that the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has taken a eager curiosity in guaranteeing that Ghana doesn’t turn into a transit hub for the distribution of illicit opioids within the sub-region. Nevertheless, it’s believed that almost all of those merchandise in transit to different international locations could find yourself circulating inside Ghana, posing a serious public well being danger”.
Moreover, the PSGH requires and commits to the next:
1. Public Well being and Security Issues
The PSGH acknowledges the crucial function of opioids in ache administration when used appropriately below medical supervision. Nevertheless, the illicit trafficking and misuse of those substances pose a critical public well being risk, doubtlessly resulting in dependancy, overdose, and elevated circumstances of substance use issues in Ghana and past.
Whereas Ghana has not skilled an opioid disaster on the dimensions seen in some Western international locations, experiences point out an increase in opioid misuse, notably among the many youth. We, subsequently, name for pressing measures to forestall an rising disaster in our nation.
2. Strengthening Regulatory Controls and Enforcement
The PSGH urges the federal government and all related regulatory our bodies, together with the Meals and Medicine Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacy Council, to:
- Strengthen surveillance in any respect entry factors, together with ports and land borders, to forestall illicit pharmaceutical imports.
- Implement the regulation, which allows the importation of medicines solely by means of two designated factors of entry: Tema Port and Kotoka Worldwide Airport. Any medicines getting into the nation by means of different seaports or land border routes should be seized by regulation enforcement businesses.
- Improve collaboration between regulation enforcement businesses, customs, and healthcare professionals to trace and eradicate unlawful drug trafficking networks.
- Implement stricter penalties for people and entities concerned within the unauthorized importation, distribution, or sale of managed medicines.
The PSGH commends the Hon. Minister of Well being for main the inter-sectorial collaboration to curb this rising risk.
3. The Position of Pharmacists in Stopping Opioid Misuse
Because the gatekeepers of drugs, pharmacists play a crucial function in guaranteeing the protected and accountable use of opioids and different managed substances. To this finish, PSGH will:
- Lead nationwide schooling on the misuse of opioids, elevating consciousness of the risks of opioid abuse and illicit drug consumption.
- Improve pharmacist schooling on opioid stewardship and accountable meting out practices.
- Assist the implementation of a nationwide prescription monitoring system to trace opioid prescriptions and forestall diversion into unauthorized channels.
- Strengthen public schooling efforts and collaborate with media organizations and the Nationwide Fee for Civic Schooling (NCCE) to advertise consciousness.
The PSGH can also be encouraging its hardworking members on the Pharmacy Council and the FDA to not relent of their efforts to battle this menace. Their dedication is essential to making sure the security and safety of Ghana’s pharmaceutical panorama.
4. Regional Collaboration to Fight Drug Trafficking
Provided that the intercepted container was certain for Niger, the PSGH requires elevated cooperation amongst ECOWAS international locations to harmonize laws, enhance intelligence-sharing, and strengthen border controls. Drug trafficking is a transnational problem that requires collective motion to safeguard public well being throughout West Africa.
5. Name for Public Vigilance and Stakeholder Engagement
We encourage the general public to be vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical actions to the authorities. The PSGH stands able to collaborate with the Ministry of Well being, the FDA, regulation enforcement businesses, and different stakeholders to make sure that Ghana stays a protected and safe nation within the battle towards drug trafficking.
In conclusion, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana reiterated its dedication to defending public well being and guaranteeing the accountable use of prescribed drugs.
“We are going to proceed to have interaction with policymakers, healthcare suppliers, and safety businesses to forestall the infiltration of harmful substances into our communities”.
It additionally urged all stakeholders to work collectively in closing regulatory loopholes and strengthening enforcement measures to forestall future incidents of this nature.
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