THE AXE FALL MUST NOW (MARCH 13, 2010)

THE Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has struck again. Yesterday, it ordered the immediate withdrawal of two substandard antibiotics produced by Chinese companies from the local market.
The drugs — Cipro-Dor (Ciprofloxacin Hydrochlroride) and Clavu-Dor (Amoxicilin 500mg and Cluvulanic Acid 125 mg) — were produced by Shijazhuang Pharmaceutical Group, Ouyi Pharma Company Limited in China and Shandong Reyoung Pharmaceuticals Company Limited in China.
A statement issued by the FDB said Cipro-Dor was used in the treatment of diseases, including typhoid fever, urinary tract infections and bone joint infections, while Clavu-Dor was used for upper respiratory tract infections, dental infections and lower respiratory tract infections.
It said laboratory analysis conducted on the samples submitted for registration by the two companies conformed to their respective specifications (of the right quality) according to which they were manufactured and for which reason they were permitted to be sold in Ghana.
However, the statement said samples of the antibiotics selected from pharmacy shops nationwide and analysed at the FDB laboratory showed that they were substandard.
It said what had been done by the two Chinese companies was in contravention of Section 14 of the Food and Drugs Law (PNDCL 305B, 1992) and its subsequent amendment, Act 523 (1996).
The FDB said patients who had been put on those medications might be at risk, since they could not cure the diseases for which they were prescribed because of their unwholesome nature.
The Daily Graphic and, indeed, the public can only be grateful for the continuous vigilance of the FDB, which has ensured the protection of consumers. But like Oliver Twist, we wish to ask for more action from the FDB.
We are aware that under its consumer alert programme, the FDB has advised all consumers to look out for appropriate labels when buying products. Such labels must include name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, expiry date, country of origin etc. All labels must be written in English language. Consumer responsibility also includes buying only products that are wholesome.
However, given the unfortunate situation that a great number of our populace is illiterate, the Daily Graphic urges the FDB to mount a special campaign in our local languages for the benefit of the people.
That is the only way to ensure that some unscrupulous manufacturers do not take undue advantage of our people and put them at risk.
But if we may ask: Is the withdrawal of the unwholesome drugs the end of the road for any company that breaches our laws? Are there no punitive measures in place?
We are aware that under PNDCL 305B and under LI 1541, it is a criminal offence to offer for sale products that are unwholesome, improperly labelled or expired. Why , to date, we have not applied the law to the letter only beats our imagination.
The Daily Graphic thinks for far too long we have allowed so many crooks to have things their way and get away with them. We cannot go on like that forever. It is time the axe fell and heavily too.