The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has arrested two Nigerians for allegedly distributing and selling fake Vermox and Postinor 2 tablets on the Ghanaian market. Both medicines contain no pharmaceutical active ingredient, a statement issued in Accra and signed by Dr Stephen K. Opuni, Chief Executive of FDA, said. The FDA, with the assistance of the Accra Regional Police Command arrested the Nigerians, Nduka Ogbonna Fidelis and Vincent Emmanuel,the peddlers of the fake Vermox and Postinor 2 tablets, both residing at Agege, Mamprobi. Further investigations conducted by the FDA revealed that the fake medicines were smuggled into Ghana from Nigeria by road. Vermox tablets are indicated for treatment of worm infestations whereas Postinor 2 is an oral emergency contraceptive.
The public is to note that the fake Vermox has a batch number of 9CL2400 with a manufacturing date of 09/2013 and expiry date of 08/2017, the statement added. The general public, especially pharmacies, licensed chemical shops, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities have been cautioned against buying medicines from drug peddlers and other dubious sources. Medicines purchased from these sources are not only fake but are also transported and stored under improper conditions, which could result in their deterioration well before their stated expiry dates, putting the health of consumers of such medicines at risk. Meanwhile, the two alleged Nigerian counterfeiters are in police custody awaiting trial.