Pharmacists call for independent enquiry into Kinapharma cocaine saga

Accra, Dec. 22, GNA - The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has called for an independent investigation into the Kinapharma cocaine saga, with focus on the impact the allegation has had on the company and the local pharmaceutical industry. Such a body should make recommendations about how such an incident could be averted in future.

A press statement issued by Dennis Sena Awitty, Executive Secretary of the PSGH on

Tuesday after a meeting of the Governing Board and General membership of the Society said

the investigation must ensure that pharmacists are treated with highest regard and dignity as

befits any other intellectual or professional organisation. "This is crucial for the good of public health in Ghana," it said The statement said Kinapharma should receive all the support and relief needed to continue

to be the pharmaceutical giant that the company had strived to build throughout the years. The Society called for the provision of a fair and transparent framework for regulating the

pharmaceutical sector in Ghana, paying particular heed to the concerns and anxieties of all the

major players including pharmacists, the local pharmaceutical industry, importers, exporters,

doctors, nurses and the general public. The statement condemned the way the Ghana Police Service and the media handled the

Kinapharma cocaine story. "The conduct of the Police Service and related agencies; the level of media coverage and

publicity gives the impression of an attempt to impugn on the hard-won professional and

business niche that an illustrious pharmacist like. Kofi Nsiah-Poku has carved for himself

and his company, Kinapharma over the years in Ghana, West Africa and globally. This action

poses a threat to any industry in Ghana and sends very wrong signals to investors. The PSGH also called for similar investigations into the circumstances leading to the

interdiction of Dr Alex Dodoo, Board Chairman of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and

President of the PSGH. The statement described as unfair the interdiction of Dr. Dodoo through a letter from the

Minister of Health, Dr. Benjamin Kumbour and the subsequent media publications over

allegations against him without his notice and hearing. It claimed that all attempts to meet the Minister and officials of the Serious Fraud Office

(SFO) on issues relating to the interdiction of the FDB Board Chairman had failed. "The Police, the SFO and all similar institutions beyond protecting individual and social

liberties must be conscious of the need to protect professional, corporate, social and

individual reputation and images." The statement described as unprofessional the mode of by which some essential

pharmaceutical products were recalled from the market by the authorities. "The PSGH is anxious that the activities and actions of certain individuals and

organisations do not damage the warm and cordial relationship between the PSGH and the

government."