The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed alarm over the growing presence of unregistered drugs in Ghana’s pharmaceutical market, pledging to halt the production and distribution of such substances. He highlighted the increasing abuse of unapproved opioids, including various brands of tramadol and tapentadol, which have resulted in severe health issues and deaths.

His concerns come after a recent BBC Eye investigation uncovered Avio Pharmaceuticals’ involvement in the international opioid trade.
In response, the Ministry of Health, alongside regulatory and security agencies, has launched immediate measures to combat the illegal circulation of these drugs.
Speaking to Parliament on Tuesday, February 25, Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has instructed Samospharma to cease all dealings with foreign companies supplying unregistered pharmaceutical products to Ghana.
The FDA has also suspended the processing of Masters Pharmaceutical Limited’s application, citing its dependence on Avio Pharmaceuticals for contract manufacturing.
To strengthen enforcement, a joint task force composed of the FDA, Narcotics Control Commission, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority has ramped up inspections at key entry points, resulting in the seizure and destruction of a large shipment of tapentadol and similar drugs.
Additionally, a nationwide public education campaign has been launched to inform the public about the dangers of illicit opioid use and encourage responsible medication practices.
“A joint task force involving the FDA, NACOC, customs and the Ghana Revenue authorities has intensified checks at a major entry point to prevent unauthorized drugs and further import leading to the destruction of a large consignment of tapentadol and similar drugs,” he stated.
The Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr Zanetor Rawlings, contributing to the statement, expressed concern over the invasion of schools in her constituency by drug addicts, attributing it to the impact of drug abuse.
“In my constituency, we have a cluster of schools where people who are addicted to drugs have invaded the premises to harass the students and the teachers. Recently a security person in the school was attacked by a gang of drug addicts.” she lamented.