FDA destroys 4,152 bottles of codeine cough syrup

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in collaboration with the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Customs Exercise and Preventive Service (CEPS) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has safely disposed of 4,152 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine concealed in duvets packed in suitcases, back packs and other travelling bags, impounded at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra.

The Minister of Health on the 26 September 2018, issued an Executive Instrument banning the importation, manufacture and registration of codeine containing cough syrups under section 116 of the Public Health Act, 2012.

The 4,152 bottles of the cough syrup containing codeine with a street value of GHS332,160 were imported from South Africa in three different consignments by three different importers.

The suspects have been handed over to the Ghana Police for further investigation and prosecution.

The safe disposal of the codeine cough syrup was done at the Adepa Landfill Site, Nsawam with supervision from the Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency.