The Western Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association of Licensed Chemical Sellers has expressed concern over the influx of counterfeit drugs unto the Ghanaian market.

In an interview with the media at Takoradi on Saturday, Mr. Yaw Ofosuhene, the Regional Secretary of the Association, said this had serious implications for medical practice, the pharmaceutical industry the national health insurance scheme and patients.

He said if consumers should lose confidence in the pharmaceutical industry, the sector would collapse with serious economic implications, therefore, the local industry must be supported to thrive.

Mr. Ofosuhene said the sustainability of the National Insurance Scheme is largely dependent on quality medicine supplied in the various public and private health facilities.

He explained that should patients be given sub-standard medicines, their situation would worsen and stronger medicines would be needed to cure them at a higher cost to the National Insurance Authority.

He said the influx of fake medicines would take its toll on the health and pockets of patients because symptoms of diseases would persist if patients after use could also develop resistance to diseases making it difficult to treat simple diseases at lower costs.

Mr. Ofosuhene said members of the Association were on full alert to prevent the sale of fake drugs in order to protect the health of the public.**