Proprietor of Semanhyia clinic appears in court

Accra, July 13, GNA - Adwoa Semanhyia, proprietor of Semanhyia Herbal Clinic whose products were seized by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) for allegedly manufacturing and distributing unregistered products, on Wednesday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. She was charged with two counts of manufacturing and sale of prohibited drug or chemical substance.

Adwoa pleaded not guilty and was granted 20,000 Cedi bail with two sureties to be justified, and would re-appear on August 11. However, one Stephen Arko alleged to be her husband and accomplice is at large.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Cletus K. Abadamlora, prosecuting case said on April 29, this year, the FDB received a complaint that the clinic operated by the accused was manufacturing and distributing herbal products which were not registered with the Board.

He said a team of officials from FDB went to the clinic they did not meet the accused but were prevented by Arko to perform their duties. ASP Abadamlora said a search at the clinic revealed some unregistered herbal products including 215 bottles of Sem Sikowa capsules, 57 bottles of Ex-Power capsules, 135 bottles of Sem Gono capsules and 46 bottles of Sem Piles capsules. The rest were; 96 bottles of Sem Menstrual capsules, 27 bottles of Sem Stroke capsules, three bottles of Sem Hernia capsules, four bottles of Sem Vagi clean suspension, two bottles of Sem fever syrup and a bottle of Sem Typhoid products. The prosecutor said because the herbal products were not registered, issues relating to their quality, safety and efficacy could not be guaranteed.

He said the officials detected that some billboards which were not vetted by the Board were being used at the clinic to advertise their products to the general public without authority from FDB. ASP Abadamlora said after searching the clinic, FDB made a formal complaint to the Narcotics Unit at CID Headquarters and on May 5, the accused was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.