FDA Intercepts Fake And Unregistered Malaria Drug Distributed In Hospital

The Food and Drugs Authority, has intercepted fake malaria drugs which were being distributed to patients at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital at Brong Ahafo. The head of communications for the FDA, Mr. James Lartey, in an interview with Okay FM reported that some of their staffs were embarking on their habitual post market surveillance exercise when they came across the fake and unregistered malaria drug. The fake drug known as Quinine Sulphate, according to Mr. James Lartey was prescribed to patients who battled severe malaria. But after a sample was taken to the FDA laboratory to go under medical examination, it came out that the Quinine Sulphate drug contained no pharmaceutical ingredient and could not be used to treat any illness. An investigation into the matter, according to Mr. Lartey, has shown that a company by name St. Ken Pharmaceutical Limited, located in Kumasi was responsible for the importation and distribution of the fake and unregistered product. The police service has also been invited to assist the FDA in handling the life threatening issue, he added.