The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has seized unregistered herbal and orthodox medical products worth GH₵700,000 in Kumasi.
The products were seized from a single retail shop at the Alabar Market, an identified hotbed for the sale of unwholesome herbal products and drugs.
Some of the seized products had engraved on them unknown languages, while others were conspicuously sourced from the US.
Ashanti Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority John Laryea Oddai Tettey indicated the products were a mixture of indigenous and exotic consumables.
“These products will never be approved by the FDA. How these products get into our market remains unknown. But we want to assure that when these smugglers beat entry points we will always fish them out when they come on the market,” he said.
However, the Authority says it is mapping the entire region to smoke out perpetrators and bring them to book.
“We do a lot of scouting and surveillance and we are mapping the entire region so that wherever we have these products sold, we will move to those areas and get rid of them. But we have some spots that perpetually display these products and we are starting with them and we will get to them. Those in these illegal trades must rethink their activities because we are coming after them,” he said.
John Laryea Tettey cautions the public against patronage of unregistered products.
“Visit the hospital and get the prescription. We are not supposed to buy medicines like we buy toffees. Get to a licensed chemical shop or pharmacy to have your prescribed medication. Communication Directorate of the authority is collaborating with the relevant agencies to ensure that the appropriate thing is done to rid these marketers,” he said.
Already, three persons arrested for similar offences have been arraigned.