The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expressed shock at the high level of abuse of pain relief drug Tramadol, as well as other opioids.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Delese Mimi Darko said the figure had exceeded their projection.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ykLr3cDHxNXUscO43eobDtSRsWhLNr4Y”]She said this was realised when the FDA embarked on an extensive nationwide education campaign on the health risks associated with the abuse of Tramadol.
According to her, stringent measures including the tightening of security at the various entry points into the country are being adopted to curb the menace.
Speaking at an Inter-Agency Forum on Strategies for Countering Counterfeit Drugs and Substance Abuse Mrs Darko said FDA would take every measure save the youth from the use of tramadol.
“The FDA, in curbing this global threat, has undertaken a lot of regulatory activities. Raids have been organised nationwide to address this situation and to arrest the peddlers of these unregistered products. The border has also been strengthened to prevent the influx of these products,” she said.
The FDA, has also intensified surveillance in the country in a bid to curb the smuggling of Tramadol, which is a prescription-only drug into the country.
According to the Association, its investigation shows that most of the drug comes into the country through unapproved routes making it difficult for them to track its final destination
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana has also cautioned against the proliferation and abuse of Tramadol.
It said the proliferation of drug in unapproved quantities had become widespread and called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to rid the markets of the unregistered products, which tend to threaten the gains made in the provision of healthcare in the country.
The growing trend of Tramadol abuse among Ghanaian youth in some parts of the country has become a major issue for persons involved in the health sector.
Recent surveys have shown the drug is also used among market women, drivers, and in some cases, students.
The abuse of Tramadol, a pain relief drug, according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems as well as damage vital organs in the human body.
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By: Farida Yusif/citinewsroom.com/Ghana