The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expressed shock at the high number of youth already addicted to Tramadol and other opioids.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Delese Mimi Darko said the figure exceeded their projection.
She said this was realised during an extensive nationwide education campaign on the health risks associated with the abuse of Tramadol.According to her, stringent measures including tightening security at the various entry points into the country are being adopted to curb the menace.
Speaking at an Inter-Agency Forum on Strategies for Countering Counterfeit Drugs and Substance Abuse Mrs Darko said FDA would take every measure save the youth from the use of tramadol.
“Food and drugs authority in curbing this global threat has undertaken a lot of regulatory activities. Raids have been organised nationwide to address this situation and be able to arrest the peddlers of these unregistered products; the border has also been strengthened to prevent the influx of these products,” she said.
The Food and Drugs Authority [FDA], has also intensified surveillance in the country in a bid to curb the smuggling of Tramadol, a prescription-only drug into the country.
According to the FDA, its investigation shows that most of the drug comes into the country through unapproved routes making it difficult for them to track its final destination
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana also cautioned against the proliferation and abuse of Tramadol, an opioid analgesic.
It said the proliferation of the higher strength had become popular and called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to rid the markets of the unregistered and unapproved products, which tended to threaten the gains made in the provision of healthcare in the country.
The growing trend of Tramadol abuse among Ghanaian youth in some parts of the country is overwhelming.
Recent surveys have shown the drug is also used among market women, drivers, and in some cases, students.
The abuse of Tramadol, a pain relief drug, according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems as well as damage vital organs in the human body.
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By: Farida Yusif/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
The post FDA overwhelmed by the use of tramadol in youth appeared first on Citi Newsroom.
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