Ghanaian authorities arrest Nigerian for selling fake medicines

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has arrested a Nigerian drug peddler who is currently in Police custody.

The Accra Central Police on Saturday arrested the Nigerian, Kingsley Okafor with fake medicines, which he intended to supply to pharmacies in the Accra Central business area, a press handout from the FDA and copied to the GNA said.

Okafor had in his possession at the time of arrest DAZ (Diazepam) injection, Avomine tablets and Cafergot tablets, all of which are fake prescription-only-medicines (POM).

Further investigations conducted by the FDA revealed that the fake medicines were smuggled into the country from Nigeria and stored in the residence of the peddler at Accra Newtown from where he supplied on demand.

Avomine tablets are used to treat nausea and vomiting; Cafergot, for the treatment of a severe type of headache known as migraine whilst diazepam is used to relieve anxiety or induce sleep.

The FDA cautioned pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities to desist from buying medicines from drug peddlers and other dubious sources.

It said medicines purchased from these sources were not only fake but also transported and stored under improper conditions, which could result in their deterioration well before their stated expiry dates, thus putting the health of consumers of such medicines at risk.

Source: GNA