The Center Of Awareness (COA), manufacturers of COA products, has inaugurated an ultramodern factory to recommence production of its products.
The inauguration of the factory followed clearance obtained from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which gave them the green light to commence business.
During the inauguration, Dr Samuel Ato Duncan, Executive President of COA, noted that the Center, in April, received a letter from the FDA.
The said letter, according to Professor Duncan, stated that some of the products on the market were contaminated.
Prof Duncan added that the FDA subsequently ordered a recall of all their products on the market, a directive which the center fully complied with.
It must be mentioned that on September 10 the FDA gave COA market authorisation to market COA FS as COA Mixture.
This was due to the fact that the product in now registered as a herbal medicine for general well- being. The new improved product, COA Mixture, was duly launched.
Safety and quality assurance
Prof Duncan categorically mentioned that the Center has always followed safety and quality precautions in all its operations. He said: “We started working [with] the FDA to put all corrective measures in place to prevent future occurrences of possible contamination.”
Preventive measures put in place
According to Prof Duncan, several important measures have been instituted by the Center to ensure strict adherence to the regulations.
The measures, he mentioned, included formation of a new company, COA Research and Manufacturing Company Limited, to replace the old factory.
Additionally, a new structure has been built to bring the old factory to international standards, while automated equipment has been installed to reduce human contact and also improve quality.
As part of the measures, Prof Duncan disclosed that staff of the Center have been trained by the FDA on good manufacturing practices, while technical and non-technical staff have been employed to improve quality.
Cost of new equipment/measures
Prof Duncan noted that the center spent an amount GH¢10,000,000 to retool the factory within a period of four months.
The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddy Blay, who was the Special Guest of Honour, noted that the herbal industry played a very significant role in health care delivery in the country, without which, he said, quite a lot of Ghanaians would have found it difficult to access healthcare.
The sector, he added, also offered employment to many Ghanaians, adding that with the right support, the herbal industry has the potential of raking in a lot of revenue for the country.
He said; “It is important to subject some of your products to international scientific analysis using globally acceptable standards. By doing so, you can compete internationally.”
This, according to Mr Blay, would enable the center to attract foreign exchange for the country, and, therefore, appealed to Daasebre Kweibu Ewusi, Board Chairman of COA, to ensure that the company became globally competitive in the next few years.
The post COA-FS bounces back after FDA clearance appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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