The Food and Drugs Authority has warned healthcare professionals to desist from the use of an expired malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit being offered for sale on the market.
The FDA in a statement signed by its CEO, Delese A. Darko, indicated that though the SD Bio Line Malaria Test kit has been registered by the Authority, investigations had revealed that the product has been re-labeled and is being sold on the market after expiration.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ThvYs7wPRn9km88XLBWYsOPIPvOBXte2″]The FDA said persons who use the kit may suffer inaccurate diagnosis, which may lead to severe health implications.
“The Food and Drugs Authority wishes to alert the general public of an expired malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit being offered for sale on the Ghanaian market. The FDA has investigated a complaint and established the fact that persons have tampered with the product information on the said expired kit,” the statement said.
“It is, therefore, a dangerous situation to have a test for malaria using the RDT kit, which would certainly produce a false result and may lead to inaccurate diagnosis,” it added.
The FDA also asked the public to furnish it with information should they see the said product anywhere on the Ghanaian market.
Unregistered drugs
The 2012 Auditor General’s report before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament disclosed that a lot of unregistered drugs were imported into Ghana without the prior approval of the FDA.
Among the unregistered medicines which got unto the Ghanaian market between 2012 and 2013 per the Auditor General’s report are popular malaria drug Coartem and dewormer Zentel.
Others include Tres-Orix, Procold, Lofnac-50 tablet, Atenolol, Lofnac Eyedrops and Quine Syrup among others.
In all, a total of 72 unregistered drugs were imported during that period. The report also revealed that seven drugs were brought into the country “before the importers applied for permit from the FDA”.
The FDA CEO Mrs Darko subsequently assured her outfit is on top of issues to ensure citizens are safe.
–
By: Marian Ansah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
