The First Vice President of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine (GHAFTRAM), Dr. Stephen Appiagyei Donkor has called on Traditional Herbal Practitioners to produce products of high standard by way of adding value to meet international standards

He said the increasing demand for herbal treatment worldwide had made the herbal medicine industry come under scrutiny, a reason why value must be added without compromising standards.

“Improvement in its production and dispensary would help ameliorate the suffering of the sick and also increase the revenue of the industry” he said

Dr. Oheneba Appiagyei Donkor as he’s popularly called, who also doubles as the CEO OF GIFAS Health Company Limited, producer of GIFAS mixture made the call when he launched GIFAS cash promotion for the Christmas festivity.

The cash promotion which involves over GH¢ 50,000 runs from November, 2014 to January 2015 is to give back to society for their continue trust and believe in GIFAS by way of putting smile on the face of loyal and cherished patrons.

Lucky winners will receive cash ranging between GH¢ 50.00 - GH¢200 on labels of GIFAS mixture bottles they buy, it also includes giveaways such as GIFAS branded lacoste T-shirts when one produces 10 labels of GIFAS mixture, among other attractive prices.

The GHAFTRAM vice president said herbal medicine had been embraced Worldwide the need for herbal medicine producers to take advantage of engaging in acceptable international best practices.

“Let’s have a good manufacturing practice, we cannot introduce quality to a finished product but we can build-in quality right away from the raw material to the end”

"We need to build on adding value to the existing plant raw materials without compromising the herbal practice,' he said.

The CEO of GIFAS Herbal Mixture said though traditional medical practitioners were doing a lot to complement the efforts of orthodox medicinal services in the country, the practices of some herbalists is giving a bad name to the alternate method of medicine.

He entreated members to ensure 100% cleanliness in their manufacturing rooms, ventilation of the rooms, proper documentation of each herb, processes and herbal medicine produced.

He urged herbal members to avail themselves of the vast advantages of science and technology to improve on the efficacy, storage, packaging and storage of their products.

He appealed to the government to, as matter of urgency; support the integration of herbal medicine into national policy such as the health insurance system for effective regulation and practices and to ensure safety and quality.

Dr. Appiagyei Donkor further commended government for his continue assistance and flexible regulation through Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to compliment effort and work of herbal medical practice.