Cape Coast, Jan. 19, GNA - The Deputy Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), Mr Ben Botwe, on Monday expressed concern about the proliferation of unauthorised advertisements on herbal medicines in the electronic media. He said the issue had become a great concern not only to the Board, but also to the country's general health delivery system.

Mr Botwe expressed these concerns at a day's consultative seminar' for FM stations presenters, representatives of the Ghana Federation of Herbal Medicine Practitioners Association (GAFTRAM), the Ghana Health Service and the Environmental Health Directorate in the Central Region. The seminar, the first in a series by the FDB nation-wide, aimed at creating awareness about the Board's existing guidelines on the advertising of herbal drugs, and the need for FM stations, in particular, to ensure that they are adhered to. It was also to stress the dangers that wrong information on herbal medicine posed to consumers, and also to enlighten them about punitive measures that could be taken against offenders.

Mr Botwe said such unauthorised advertisements, contravened the Food and Drugs law of 1992. He was particularly, concerned that in recent times, such adverts have taken different forms to outwit the Board's process of approval, and are for instance, read as part of announcements, or for sponsoring some radio programmes. The Chief Executive expressed regret that some adverts approved by the Board were also altered, while others advertise other uses for their herbal drugs, other than those approved by the Board. According to him, the results of the investigation would enable the board to take regulatory actions, including request for the revision of product information and condition of use, and withdrawal where

necessary. He expressed the hope that the seminar would create the requisite awareness among stakeholders to enable them to play their roles effectively in safeguarding the health of the people. Mr Botwe called on stakeholders, such as personnel of regional and district health directorates, environmental health offices and the various transport operating groups, to collaborate with the zonal offices of the FDB, in protecting the interest of consumers.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, Chairman of the Central Division of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), who spoke on the, "role of the media in national health delivery", observed that many Ghanaians depend on the electronic media in particular for information, especially on herbal medicine and that any misrepresentation about such drugs could be disastrous. He said the issue had also become a concern to the GMA, and appealed to media organisations to adhere to the laws regarding the sale of such drugs, by ensuring that they have been registered and certified by the FDB.

Dr Osei, who is also the psychiatrist in-charge of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, noted that neither the Noguchi Memorial Institute, nor the Mampong Centre for Research into Plant Medicine, could certify herbal drugs, and that it was solely the mandate of the FDB. Ms. Mercy Acquaye, Regulatory Officer, Drug Evaluation and Registration Department of the FDB, told the participants that herbal medicine practitioners were prohibited from advertising and selling drugs that claim cures for ailments like sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and diseases connected with the human reproductive organ.

Mr Ebo Sackey, Central Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) expressed concern that the practice of unauthorised advertising was widespread, and could even be found on the internet, and urged media practitioners not to be swayed by monetary gains in carrying such adverts, but they must be morally conscious, as well as guided by the ethics of their profession. Mr Kofi Essel, Western and Central Regional zonal officer of the FDB, observed that many Ghanaians depend on herbal medicine because they are relatively cheaper. But some erroneously think that such medicines have no side effects, he said. He warned that that drugs that have not been certified by the Board could be dangerous and should not be patronised.