FDA Arrests 9 Persons In Possession Of Unregistered Products

Nine persons have been arrested by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in some parts of the Koforidua, Eastern Regional for selling unregistered products. The Food and Drugs Authority E/R office together with the Koforidua Central Police Command on the Thursday April 13, 2023 organized a swoop at five major information centers within three areas in Koforidua.

Their charges for the apprehension were for engaging in the sales of unauthorized products such as herbal medicines and cosmetic products in the form of capsules mixtures and balms. Pivotal areas visited by the three teams include Nkurakan, Asokore, Efiduase. Other areas include Lorry Station and Herbal retail shops within the New Juaben South Municipalities.

In an interview with Mr George Ampofo Ayeh who is the Eastern Regional FDA Public Relations Officer, he said authorities are on the verge of eradicating unregistered drugs from the Ghanaian market. He said series of phases with intense exercise will be held across regions with their focus on suspicious information centers and hidden areas.

The five hour long operation which commenced at 5:30 am to 10:00 am was the first phase of the exercise which targeted information centers due to complaints reaching the FDA of suspicions of selling illegal products. Adding up, he indicated that the second phase of the exercise will also be on the selling of unregistered sex enhancement products or aphrodisiac.

The arrested victims who fall within owners of information centers, retailers and product manufactures are assisting police investigations and will be arraigned for court for further investigations. The PRO assured the public that the new development should not be ‘a disturbance to the public rather to streamline the activities of information centers to do the right thing while serving the public.