FDB raises fake drug alarm

By: Bismarck Nii Ogbamey Tetteh.
The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) is alerting the general public on the presence of fake Coartem tablet being distributed countrywide.
In a press statement issued by Dr. Stephen K. Opuni, Chief Executive of FDB, it indicated that after series of tests into the efficacy of the product by the Quality Control Laboratory, Coartem tablets turned out not to contain active ingredients as in the original drug. The active ingredients include Artemether and Lumefantrine.
The fake Coartem drug, which comes in a dummy-shape, has no positive bearing on patients due to the absence of effective anti-malaria components.
The release further emphasized that pharmacies, licensed chemical stores and healthcare facilities ought to dispose off all fake Coartem and its associated drugs from their shelves and dispensaries.
Also, it urged healthcare professionals to assist both patients and consumers to distinguish between the genuine Coartem from the counterfeited ones on the market.
The public, it added could visit the FDB website, www.fdbghana.gov.gh for pictorial presentations of the fake product and the genuine brand.
FDB however assured the public of its commitment to bring such perpetuators in the fake drug business to book.