Member of Parliament for Kintampo South Felicia Adjei has condemned unregulated over-the-counter (OTC) medications, particularly illicit opioids.
Her remarks came following a statement by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on the alarming rise in illicit opioid use across the country.
Ms. Adjei recounted a disturbing incident during her campaign trail, where she encountered a young man who appeared to be on the verge of death due to tramadol abuse.
“During the Seventh Parliament, I raised concerns about tramadol. I don’t know how it entered our country. One day, while campaigning, I saw a young man who was almost lifeless. I wanted to take him to the hospital, but I was told he would be fine. When I returned five hours later, he was eating. I asked what had happened, and they told me he was on tramadol,” she narrated.
She also juxtaposed drug regulation between Ghana and other countries, such as the United States. According to her, she attempted to purchase medication in the U.S., where even with proper identification, she was restricted from obtaining more than the prescribed amount. In contrast, she lamented how easily drugs can be acquired over the counter in Ghana without any restrictions.
“Some young people take tramadol to enhance their ability to work. You can meet a 30-year-old man who looks like he’s 60 because of the effects of the drug,” she added.
She urged the Minister of Health to take immediate action to address the issue, stressing that failure to act swiftly could lead to severe long-term consequences.
“I call on the Minister of Health to act swiftly to curb this situation and prevent further future implications,” she concluded.
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