FDB satisfied with media compliance

Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has set up a committee to draw up modalities to ensure that only approved products and scripts for advertisements by the Board are read and nothing else. "There have been many instances that scripts approved by the Board have been changed and we hear something different on air and there are also instances that labels have been removed, which, we strongly believe is not in the best interest of the health of people".

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Friday, Mr Ben Botwe, Deputy Chief Executive of FDB, in reaction to the temporary ban placed on the advertisements of drugs, herbal medicines and any other products that made claim for cure or management of any disease condition, said "the fact that you have registered your product with us does not allow you to do whatever you want. There are laws that we work within and should be adhered to"; he said.

The ban, which took effect on Friday, was imposed because of the misleading nature of some advertisements; unsubstantiated and false claims being made; airing of unapproved adverts; advertising of products for cure of diseases for which the law did not permit and dangers these adverts posed to public health.

Apart from adverts by radio and television stations; public places; markets and inter and intra-city buses have been turned into advertising points and drug distribution outlets.

Mr Botwe noted that the Board had been battling with the advertisement of these products for the past nine years and had had series of training workshops for all stakeholders but "the problem gets worse each passing day".

He explained that the Board appreciated the fact that manufacturers should advertise their products and that radio stations should advertise to generate revenue but 93we should ensure that we do not do things that would endanger the health of the people=94.

He said the Board was collaborating with the advertisers association; district assemblies, transport associations and other stakeholders to ensure maximum compliance.

He expressed satisfaction with the compliance level from the media but added, "a few people according to our zonal offices have violated the ban and we will take legal action at the appropriate time". 1 Sept. 06