Tobinco wanted conditional approval to sell unapproved medicines

It is said that wonders will never end. As TOBINCO Pharmaceuticals Limited were addressing the media last Monday (November 25), accusing the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of trying to frustrate it, there was one important information they kept from the media.

What they hid from the media was that a week earlier (November 18), they had written a three-paged letter to the FDA, making a number of requests. One of their requests was for the FDA to grant TOBINCO, conditional approval for the products that are due for re-registration but not yet approved.

A highly credible source at the FDA has hinted the Daily Dispatch that it will NOT grant TOBINCO the conditional approval it is seeking to sell unapproved medicines because the quality and efficacy of those medicines cannot be guaranteed.

The source reminded Ghanaians that the importation of unapproved medicines is a violation of the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851.

MAHAMA must not interfere in TOBINCO-FDA issues It’s about public safety

EDITOR’S NOTE: We publish below, a letter from one of our readers. It is slightly edited.

“Dear President John Mahama,

I heard of a public appeal to you by TOBINCO that you must intervene in its problems with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

I wish to plead with you not to do this. TOBINCO has dragged the FDA to court and I am surprised that the company would want the Executive (that is the President) to interfere.

As TOBINCO pursues its case in court, I would want them to answer a few questions:

(a)   Is TOBINCO the only pharmaceutical company importing medicines to Ghana?

(b)  What would the FDA or Dr. Stephen Opuni (its Chief Executive) gain by, as TOBINCO alleged, ‘grounding’ TOBINCO? and

(c)   Does the company think public safety is assured by press conferences?Many thanks for the space.

Araba Mensah,

Accra”