The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has arrested a
39-year-old Nigerian, Innocent Obiara Ugwuanyi, for allegedly distributing
fake Augmentin, an antibiotic used for the treatment of serious infections.
The original drug is manufactured by Glaxosmithkline of the United
Kingdom (UK) while the fake drug bears the label SmithKlineBeecham to
mislead users.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, Dr. Stephen
Kwabena Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of FDB, said they had information
about two weeks ago that the suspect was selling the fake drug on the market
hence the despatch of a team from the inspectorate department of FDB to
investigate.
"Fortunately, the post market surveillance team managed to arrest the
suspect at the New Page Chemist at Zongo Lane in Accra owned by Mr Kofi
Krofa who insisted that he did not know the contents of the bag containing
the fake drugs," he said.
Dr. Opuni said during interrogation, the suspect said the fake drugs
were given to him by two Nigerians (a man and a woman) to distribute and
because he had no shop went to Zongo Lane and deposited them at the shop.
"The suspect said the two Nigerians had returned to Nigeria to bring
more and was selling a box for GH¢12 instead of the original price of GH¢25,
"he added.
Dr. Opuni said results from the Quality Control laboratory indicated
that there was no active pharmaceutical ingredient in the fake drug as
stated on the pack.
He assured the public that the FBD would endeavour to rid the market of
fake drugs and appealed to the public to report people dealing in fake drugs
to the FDB.
Dr. Opuni called for a review of the law to ensure stiffer punishment
for offenders.
Under PNDC Law 305B, anyone found selling a fake drug is liable to two
years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The suspect has been handed over to the police for further
investigations.