The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said it is fast tracking the registration of hand sanitizers in order to deal with the shortage on the market in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

The FDA also assured that it has increased its surveillance across the country to ensure fake sanitizers are not released onto the market to endanger the lives of Ghanaians.

A statement signed by Mrs Delese A A Darko, the CEO of the FDA on Wednesday, March 18 said: ”Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of products used in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus are cautioned against taking advantage of the prevailing situation and offering sale substandard products (hand sanitizers, face masks and other products used in the prevention)

“The general public must ensure that all hand sanitizers purchased are duly registered by the FDA and have not expired.

“The FDA is also facilitating the registration of more hand sanitizers with a fast track process to mitigate the shortage on the market.”

The statement added: “In order to safeguard utmost protection of the general public, the Authority has increased its market surveillance countrywide to ensure compliance.”

Ghana has recorded seven cases of the coronavirus outbreak.