Pharmaceutical Chamber hints of likely drug shortage over coronavirus outbreak

The Pharmaceutical Chamber of Ghana has raised concerns over a possible drug shortage due to coronavirus hitting countries Ghana relies heavily on for drug-making ingredients.

China and India where Ghana gets most of its medical supplies have been smashed by the outbreak.

India which is a global hub and supplier of essential drug ingredients recently placed a ban on the export of essential drug ingredients.

This move, by the Asian country, has been initiated as it prepares to stock up against a possible outbreak of the virus.

JoyBusiness reports that Chairman of the National Executive Council under the Chamber of Pharmacy Ghana, Harrison Kofi Abutiate believes the ban has dire implications.

“Even though local pharmaceutical firms have stocked up fairly enough, the Coronavirus coupled with the recent suspension of essential-drug exports from India and China has been a huge challenge for us. We are troubled, considering the fact that our local pharmaceutical firms rely heavily on raw materials from China and India.”

He made these statements at the unveiling of the logo for the 2020 Ghana Pharmaceutical Expo.

India being the world's biggest supplier of generic drugs has limited the export of 26 ingredients and medicines it makes.

The restricted drugs include Paracetamol, one of the world's most widely-used pain relievers.

Harrison Kofi Abutiate has, therefore, urged pharmaceutical companies to alert Government of any imminent shortage.