Kintampo Records High Abuse Of Tramadol

The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu has revealed that the abuse of Tramadol has increased in the Kintampo South constituency of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

This information, according to him had been gathered by a market surveillance conducted by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to determine the extent of the abuse.

Intelligence by FDA “suggests the abuse of tramadol by the youths in some parts of the Volta Region and other parts of the country,” the health minister said.

It is for this reason that the health ministry has announced it steps to restrict access to the man-made Narcotic pain killer adding that, it would check the rising cases of abuse of the drug.

Addressing Parliament, Yesterday, Mr Agyeman Manu said the misuse of the drug has overburdened the health care system as government is expected to deal with the “rehabilitation of morbidity and mortality of persons with tramadol health implications.”

Among measures to reduce the misuse of the drug, the minister proposed a “collaboration with the pharmacy council to restrict Tramadol display on the shelves of community pharmacies by putting them under lock and key, and also ensure strict enforcement on distribution as controlled drugs.”

He also said there would be “intensified public education through frequently asked questions on social media platforms, ongoing public education on tramadol use at public areas such as transport terminals, schools, marketplaces, beaches etc.”

“Addiction, dependence and mental health traits suffered by tramadol abusers render them totally or partially inefficient during their daily activities resulting in low productivity,” Mr Agyeman Manu noted.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]