Kumasi, Aug. 18, GNA - A GH¢300,000 production unit to manufacture specialized drugs constructed by the Ashanti Regional Medical Stores of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has been inaugurated in Kumasi.

The facility, financed through Internally Generated Fund, will produce quality and affordable drugs such as syrup and mixture upon request by health facilities.

Alhaji Dr Mohammed Ibn Ibrahim, the Regional Health Director, said there was the need for a strong local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector to ensure regular supply of good quality medicines at affordable prices.

This, he said, was also necessary to help deal with sub-standard products that had flooded the Ghanaian market.

He said drugs had over the years been one of the most commonly used forms of health care treatment in providing relief from everyday ailments to life-saving interventions for acute illness.

He added that it was, therefore, appropriate for stakeholders to vigorously campaign against fake drugs to ensure the safety of the people.

Alhaji Dr Ibn Ibrahim urged management of the Unit to take good care of the facility to ensure its sustainability in the manufacture of the drugs.

Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, the Regional Minister, said the pharmaceutical industry is of national strategic importance and as such the government was determined to see to it that it took its rightful place in the promotion of quality health care.

Alhaji Kofi Baryeh, Regional Manager of the Medical Stores, said the construction of the Unit was appropriate more especially as it would produce scarce drugs like phenobartione syrup for treatment of epileptic children.