Wa, May 10, GNA - Mr Jamal Nuhu, a pharmacist at the Wa Regional Hospital, on Tuesday appealed to authorities at the country's entry points and the Food and Drug Board to tighten security and surveillance programmes to curb the high inflow of counterfeit and sub-standard drugs into the country.

He said the influx of these drugs was not only detrimental to the health of people but was also stifling the initiatives of drug companies in the country.

Mr Juhu, who made the appeal at Wa during the launch of Nurses Week, said between 25 and 60 per cent of imported drugs in the Africa market were either sub-standard or counterfeit.

He appealed to the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service and other agencies to scrutinize all imported drugs to ensure that only drugs approved by the Ghana Pharmacy Board, Ghana Standard Board and the Food and Drugs Board were allowed into the country.

Reacting to the appeal Mr Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minister, said the eradication of fake drugs in the system was the responsibility of every Ghanaian.

He said the government had embarked on numerous projects to make the nurses comfortable and urged them to reciprocate that gesture by putting up their best to reduce the high rate of mortality in the country.

"It is through your hard work and excellent performance that would encourage the government to assist you in better ways than cars and accommodation."

He said the government would however not entertain negligent nurses who were bureaucratic and allow patients to die in situations that could be avoided. 10 May 05