FDB Blows Alarm On Fake Malaria Drugs

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) is alerting the general public, especially
people in the Ashanti Region on the circulation of some counterfeit
anti-malarial medicines in Kumasi, Abuakwa and the Ashanti Mampong areas of
the Ashanti Region.

It is believed that the fake medicines which have been listed below are the
names of the counterfeit anti-malarial medicines with their respective batch
numbers, the Pharmacies and Chemical Shops where the counterfeit
anti-malarial medicines were stocked;

QUININE SYRUP NOT STATED
2F PHARMACY, KUMASI COUNTERFEIT
METAKELFIN TABLETS E 378A
BONYARK PHARMACY, ABUAKWA ASHANTI COUNTERFEIT
CHLOROQUINE PHOSPHATE INJECTION 101075
PEOPLE’S CHEMICAL SHOP, ASHANTI MAMPONG COUNTERFEIT

A press release signed by the FDB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen K.
Opuni, revealed that counterfeit anti-malarial medicines, when used could
lead to further complications of the disease condition and possible death.

These counterfeit anti-malarial medicines were discovered through the
FDB/USP-PQM Post-Market Surveillance activities. Additionally, Akoma
Pharmaceutical Limited, the manufacturer of the Quinine Syrup is not
registered by the Food and
Drugs Board to manufacture and distribute pharmaceutical products.

“The general public is therefore being warned to be careful when purchasing
medicines from the above-mentioned facilities.

“Furthermore, any Wholesaler, Pharmacy or Licensed Chemical Shop that has in
stock these counterfeit anti-malarial medicines (with the specified batch
numbers) should immediately return them to the nearest Food and Drugs
Board,” said the statement.

According to the statement, the FDB was taking the necessary regulatory
actions against the unlicensed manufacturer, importers, distributors and
retailers of these medicines.

The statement said that information from the general public on persons
suspected to be in any practice possible of endangering public health and
safety with respect to FDB’s mandate is most welcomed through any of the
following contact numbers; 0244337235, 0208204968 or 0244385086.