The Head of Communications of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mr James Lartey, has asked media houses to desist from advertising uncertified medicinal products in the media or risk facing criminal sanctions.
He expressed concern over the proliferation of uncertified medicinal products being promoted in the media during a sensitisation workshop on expired and uncertified drugs and food items in Wa in the Upper West Region (UWR).
He said the media had been flooded with advertisements of medicinal products, claiming to cure all manner of ailments including high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes which could pose serious health hazards to members of the public.
He stated that the practice was against the law and when arrested, offenders would face sanctions ranging from jail terms of not less than 10 years, a fine of GH¢90,000 or both.
Mr Lartey said all attempts to stop the practice had not yielded much success, adding that such uncertified drugs could lead to deaths and various forms of incapacitation to those who ignorantly patronised them.
The head of communications, therefore, appealed to the media networks to seek approval from the FDA for authorisation before advertising such products in order to protect the public from harm.
The UWR Head of the FDA, Mr Gordon Akurugu, expressed regret that the region was becoming notorious for the sale of uncertified and expired products.
He said between August 2012 and October 2015, a large quantity of products ranging from cosmetics, food, drugs and herbal medicines worth GH¢105,477.00 had been retrieved and destroyed.
He, therefore, cautioned the public to be extra vigilant about the items they purchased and report any dealer who continued to sell such items on the market.
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