BNI invites CEO of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has invited the Chief Executive Officer of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited, Samuel Amo Tobin to assist in investigations following the importation and distribution of about a hundred unregistered drugs.

A post market surveillance exercises conducted by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) revealed that the Pharmaceutical giant had imported and distributed fake and unregistered medicines onto the Ghanaian market.

These fake and unregistered medicines which were imported from India have been supplied to regional medical stores, hospitals and pharmacies nationwide.

The FDA has since directed those already distributed be immediately recalled countrywide in order to protect public health and safety.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, the Head of Drugs post market surveillance, Thomas Amedzro confirmed the invitation adding that “the officials of the manufacturers from India are also in the country now to assist in the investigations into the matter.”

Answering questions on how the medicines were allowed entry into the country without any detection at the ports, Mr. Amedzro explained that, “it is not possible you can open every container and every carton that acre coming in so someway somehow, some of them can escape regulatory oversight.”

He added that the primary concern of the FDA is to ensure the safety of the public “so we are concentrating on recalling the products on the market…so the public can be assured that things are well under control.”


By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana