FDA declares war on tramadol dealers in Brong Ahafo region

The Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Mr Matthew Gyan Nkum, has advised pharmacies and chemical shop operators to desist from selling the drug-Tramadol to the public without due diligence.

He said the Tramadol must strictly be sold to persons with authentic prescription form from a qualified Medical Doctor.

Mr Nkum was speaking in an interview with Suncity Radio’s Nana KAS on his outfit’s response to the current craze on the abuse of the Tramadol drug in the country.

He said his outfit is embarking on a massive exercise to rid chemical shops and some pharmacies of the controversial drug. At the onset, FDA inspected over 40 Chemical and Pharmacy Shops in Sunyani and its environs, out of which 30 shops were found to be illegally dealing in the drug, several quantities of which were seized.

The FDA Regional Boss indicated that chemical shops were not allowed by law to deal in Tramadol, while only selected Pharmacies were licensed to sell the drug to the right persons.

Mr Nkum attributed the Tramadol craze to demand and supply, explaining that because many people were craving for the drug, chemical sellers were also in “big business,” selling unlawfully to them, hence the exercise to bring sanity into the system.

He said there are severe sanctions for offenders, which include imprisonment not less than 25 years or a fine not less than Ghc 75,000 or both.

“Please don’t follow money and get yourselves into trouble by trading illegally in Tramadol,” the FDA Boss cautioned Chemical sellers in the region and across the country.