Nana Paddy Acheampong, a Deputy Minister of Health, has asked the Ghana Pharmacy Council to help check the activities of illegal drug vendors and marketing of sub-standard drugs in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
Nana Acheampong, who was commissioning the zonal office of the Council in Tamale on Monday, said due to ignorance and poverty, all sorts of criminal dealings in drugs go on unchecked in these areas.
The Deputy Minister advised the five-member council under the chairmanship of Mr Anthony Analba to collaborate with the three Regional Co-ordinating Councils and other stakeholders to be able to work effectively.
He said the Ministry of Health is providing technical and logistic support to the Council and other regulatory bodies to ensure the effective participation of the private sector in the implementation of the five-year health reform programme.
Nana Acheampong asked all health professionals to identify with the national drug programme, to not only attain professional standards but also ensure that pharmaceutical services are improved.
Mr Kwabena Ohene-Manu, chairman of the Ghana Pharmacy Council, said a fourth zonal office would be established in Koforidua to oversee the Eastern and Volta regions.
He said the Tamale zonal office would commission drug inspectors to check the activities of quack drug dealers, who have been peddling fake and unwholesome drugs.
“We are also aware that there are a lot of unregistered chemical sellers in the three regions, and I wish to remind owners of such unauthorised shops that they are in breach of the law”, he warned.
