FDA to prosecute media on illegal adverts

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is to embark on the prosecution of media houses who advertise drugs, alcoholic drinks and some cosmetics on radio and television without approval

Mr James Lartey, Head of Communications at the FDA said some of these advertisements which prescribe cure of some diseases such as hypertension, cancer and HIV and AIDS among others are violations of the FDA’s mandate.

He said the FDA has initiated measures to enforce its mandate to stop the incidents of indiscriminate advertisements by the media to ensure that consumers are not lured into patronising fake and counterfeit goods especially drugs.

Mr Lartey, who gave the warning at a public forum in Wa, said some of these illegal advertised drugs are causing health problems to innocent persons with some of them dying through no fault of theirs.

The forum was organised to educate students, security agencies, media practitioners, government workers; bread and sachet water sellers on operations of the FDA and also to receive inputs from the stakeholders to improve its functions.

Mr Lartey said so far about 11 recorded adverts from different media houses have been handed over to the Police to investigate pointing out that illegal adverts could attract not less than 10 years imprisonment by a culprits sentence or a fine of GH¢90,000.

Source: GNA