The Circuit Court in Sunyani has sentenced a medicine seller to 17 years imprisonment for selling expired medical products.
This landmark ruling upholds the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) commitment to protecting public health.
Nana Agyeman Badu, who operated as an over-the-counter medicine seller at Chiraa in the Bono Region, violated drug safety regulations by selling and exhibiting expired and prohibited medicines, for which the court found him guilty
In addition to the 17-year prison term, Badu was fined GH₵ 12,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 2-year prison sentence.
The FDA, in collaboration with the Bono Regional Police Command, conducted a raid in 2022. They seized the expired drugs and later handed over the matter to the police for prosecution.
In a press statement, the FDA reaffirmed its dedication to enforcing drug safety standards, warning that expired medicines may undergo chemical changes that can lead to harmful side effects or treatment failures.
The Authority praised the court’s decision as a strong message to those who risk public safety for profit.
“The FDA remains committed to ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical products across the country,” said the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer in the release.
“This conviction is a crucial milestone in our efforts to keep unsafe products out of the hands of the public.” The statement noted
The FDA has urged the public to report any suspicious or expired medical products and encourages continued collaboration between stakeholders to combat the selling an distribution of illegal and unsafe drugs.
