Pharmaceutical Society Warns Against Tramadol Abuse
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), Pharm. Benjamin Botwe has cautioned the general public to be mindful of the proliferation and abuse of high dose of Tramadol.
According to Pharm. Botwe, a patient must ensure that the drug (Tramadol) has been prescribed before consumption.
Speaking at the National Launch of the World Pharmacist Day, last Friday, in Accra, the president of PSGH said’ “The use of the drug without prescription could lead to adverse effects, dependence and possible death.”
“The PSGH in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacy Council has issued an alert for the brand of Tramadol of strength of 200mg and 250mg which is not registered in Ghana,” he said.
This warning, according to the PSGH, is a wakeup call for Ghanaians not to take their health for granted.
Pharm. Botwe therefore advised “Every Ghanaian to have a personal pharmacist whom they can call upon anytime for advice, counselling and health information particularly on medications they either prescribed or buy over the counter.”
He implored the public to be cautious of where they purchase their medications and be sure they are buying from the right people.
“Medicine is good but if not taken properly and at the right time, it could be disastrous,” the Pharmacist stressed.
A fight against worm infestation
The Launch which featured a collaboration between the PSGH and Janssen Pharmaceutical of Johnson & Johnson also commenced a fight against worm infestation.
According to the Country Manager for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Priscilla Owusu Sekyere, “this worm infestation awareness campaign is very important to us as we consider it a means of contributing to the development of human capital for our economic growth.”
She therefore called on all stakeholders―parents, government, teachers, media and the entire populace to join hands in fighting the menace.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, “this innovation model of collaboration and local empowerment between Janssen, pharmacist and our school children has already seen positive results and this latest activity is a new opportunity to educate our children.”
This partnership is a joint effort to completely eradicate worm infestation amongst school children in Ghana.
The campaign targets about 10,000 children across the 10 regions in Ghana.
As part of the campaign, a drawing competition was held in a selected cluster of schools in Accra with competitors ranging from the ages of six to 12.
This contest has been designed to educate the children on the dangers of worm infestation and the need for good sanitation and hygiene practices.
Winners of the competition will be duly rewarded with educational materials.
World Pharmacist Day
This year, the World Pharmacist Day is being celebrated with the theme; “From Research to Health Care: Your Pharmacist is at your service.
This theme was chosen to reflect the numerous contributions the pharmacy profession makes to health. From research and development of medicines, to educating future pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and providing direct care.
As part of the celebration in Ghana, pharmacist have earmarked a week to engage in intense public education all across the country.
This day is marked on September 25 of every year.
We are not medicine mixers
It is for this reason that the President of PSGH has intreated Ghanaians to longer refer to pharmacists as “mixers of medicines”―interpreted in Akan as “Nnoro frafra Fuo” but “professionals with knowledge and expertise in medicines”.
Source: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ The Publisher Newspaper
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