The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol, including the street drug known as “Red,” are not registered and approved by the Food and Drugs Authority for medical use in Ghana and remain illegal.
Appearing before Parliament on Wednesday, July 8, to answer questions relating to his Ministry, the Health Minister said government is implementing regulatory and public health measures to address the illicit sale and misuse of dangerous opioids such as tapentadol and “Red.”
“Presently, the FDA has not registered any pharmaceutical product containing tapentadol, either alone or in combination with other active ingredients for medical use in Ghana,” Akandoh stated.
He further noted that tapentadol-containing products are not included in Ghana’s Essential Medicines List and do not form part of any approved treatment guidelines, making their sale, distribution or possession unlawful.
The Minister also disclosed that the FDA, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council, continues to conduct regular surveillance operations at retail and wholesale pharmacy outlets to identify unregistered medicines, including opioid products.
According to him, the surveillance exercises are also aimed at educating medicine retailers on the dangers associated with opioid misuse and abuse, while ensuring compliance with approved regulations.
Mr. Akandoh added that products found during market inspections are seized and safely disposed of, with offenders facing regulatory sanctions in accordance with the law.
