EASTERN REGIONAL FDA ENGAGES THE MEDIA ON CHRISTMAS REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

The Eastern Regional office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has engaged some media houses in the region to sensitize them on the ongoing regulatory activities embarked on. As the festive season approaches, to ensure compliance for all FDA regulated products within the region, sensitization programs started on MY FM in the capital of the Eastern Region and would be extended in time to all the major media houses within the region.

Speaking during the media engagement, Mr. Peter Alordji, a Senior Regulatory Officer of the FDA, said the Authority has over the years executed its mandate by enforcing the Public Health Acts 851, 2012 to ensure public safety.

He advised storage facility and food service establishment operators to adhere to good hygienic practices and good standard operating procedures for their products to be safe for consumption ahead of the Christmas season. He mentioned that during festive seasons, Ghanaians normally consumed more food products and patronized eatery establishments like chop bars, restaurant etc., hence it is vital to ensure that products are safe for consumer consumption.

He called on cold storage operators and all other facilities operating under the purview of the FDA without certification to ensure they adhere to the requisite requirement to avoid regulatory sanctions.
Ms. Kate Gyimaa Asante, Head of Pharmacovigilance within the region educated the public on medicine safety and its Medsafety week celebration. This year's celebration was theme 'Every Report Counts'.

She called on patients, healthcare professionals and organizations to report adverse side effects from medicines, she further encouraged that they adopt the habit of reporting adverse drug reactions, as this helps to identify new side effects or unexpected reactions to medicines.

She added that reporting adverse drugs reactions helps the Authority to vary dosage for patients or recall the products from the market to avert any health risk to patients.

Mr. George Ampofo Ayeh, the regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) cautioned media houses, information and service providers, advertising unapproved FDA regulated products to refrain from such acts.

According to him, all advertisement of FDA regulated products must first be vetted and approved by the Authority in accordance with Sections 100 and 114 of the Public Health Act, 2012 Act 851 and anyone who flout the law is liable for a fine, conviction or both.

Speaking at the media engagement he reminded the public that the law against public smoking is still in force and called on the public to stop smoking in public places.

Mr. Ayeh appealed to hotels, restaurant and bar operators to have a designated area for smoking and also display "No Smoking" signs at areas that are not designated for smoking in their facilities to guide the public and their customers.