Galamsey Can Compromise the Quality of Our Drugs and Affect the Cost of Medicine in Ghana

Yakubu Adam, Toxicologist

Illegal small-scale mining, locally referred to as galamsey, has become a pressing issue in Ghana due to its devastating effects on the environment and public health. While much attention has been given to its impact on water bodies, agriculture, and the ecosystem, the relationship between galamsey and the pharmaceutical industry has often been overlooked. Galamsey can significantly compromise the quality of drugs and escalate the cost of medicine in Ghana, posing severe threats to public health and healthcare infrastructure.

Environmental Contamination and Its Impact on Drug Production

Galamsey leads to extensive contamination of water bodies and soil by releasing toxic heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and cyanide. These contaminants do not degrade easily, accumulating in the environment over time. This environmental pollution can infiltrate the supply chain of pharmaceutical ingredients, either directly or indirectly.

Water Contamination
Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely heavily on water in their production processes, including for cleaning, cooling, and as a solvent for chemical reactions. The contamination of water sources due to galamsey poses a severe threat to drug manufacturing. Water tainted with heavy metals can easily reach production facilities, leading to substandard or contaminated medications. Research shows that heavy metals can alter the stability and efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), resulting in lower-potency drugs that may not meet therapeutic standards (2).

Ingesting drugs tainted with heavy metals can also pose serious health risks, such as organ toxicity, long-term neurological effects, and even carcinogenesis. This adds layer of concern, as even properly formulated drugs can become toxic if they are exposed to contaminated water or environments during manufacturing.

Soil Contamination and Agricultural Impact
The cultivation of medicinal plants is another aspect of pharmaceutical production affected by environmental contamination. Several pharmaceutical companies in Ghana and globally rely on phytomedicine, using plants as raw materials for the production of drugs. Crops such as Capsicum (used in topical creams) and Cinchona (used in quinine production for malaria treatment) could become contaminated when grown in polluted soils.

Soil contamination from galamsey activities can result in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in these plants. When these plants are used to make herbal or conventional medicines, the final pharmaceutical products are likely to contain harmful metals. Studies indicate that prolonged exposure to such toxic substances in medicinal products can result in chronic kidney diseases and other long-term health issues (1).

Compromising Quality and Safety Standards in Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical products in Ghana are required to meet strict quality and safety standards. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) mandates stringent protocols for testing, production, and distribution of medicines. However, galamsey-related contamination compromises these standards by introducing uncontrolled toxic substances into the drug production process.

As a result of contamination, substandard medicines can also lead to treatment failure and contribute to the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). If patients are consistently exposed to ineffective or toxic medications, their health conditions may worsen, requiring more expensive treatments later. This, in turn, exacerbates the public health burden and increases healthcare costs.

Increased Costs of Drugs
Aside from compromising the quality of drugs, galamsey also has a profound impact on the cost of pharmaceuticals in Ghana. As drug manufacturers are forced to invest more in water purification, enhanced raw material screening, and additional testing to meet safety standards, production costs inevitably rise. These costs are passed down to the end consumers, increasing the price of drugs.

Additionally, pharmaceutical companies may have to import safer raw materials from uncontaminated regions, raising importation and logistics costs, and further inflating drug prices. This disproportionately affects low-income families who already struggle to afford essential medicines, potentially leading to increased morbidity and mortality from treatable conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Broader Economic Implications
The ripple effects of galamsey on the pharmaceutical industry extend beyond drug costs and quality. If drug quality is compromised, Ghana could face challenges in exporting pharmaceutical products, losing revenue in the global market. Furthermore, the rise in substandard drugs could damage the credibility of Ghana's pharmaceutical sector, affecting both domestic and international trust in locally produced medications.

Recommendations
Addressing the link between galamsey and the pharmaceutical industry requires a multi-pronged approach that involves government intervention, regulatory oversight, and public awareness.

Strict Enforcement of Anti-Galamsey Laws: The government should strictly enforce existing laws that ban illegal mining activities, with increased monitoring of water bodies and soil contamination levels. Effective law enforcement will help reduce the spread of environmental toxins and their downstream effects on drug production.

1. Improved Water Treatment Infrastructure: Pharmaceutical companies should invest in state-of-the-art water purification systems to ensure that contaminated water does not compromise drug production. Government subsidies could support smaller drug manufacturers in acquiring these technologies.
2. Comprehensive Environmental Risk Assessments: The pharmaceutical sector should conduct regular environmental risk assessments, particularly in areas prone to galamsey activities. This will help companies to identify sources of contamination and implement preventive measures.
3. Enhanced Regulatory Oversight by the FDA: The Food and Drugs Authority should strengthen its oversight of drug production processes, with a particular focus on contamination from environmental sources. Routine inspections and stricter penalties for non-compliance could mitigate the risk of substandard drugs entering the market.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about the effects of galamsey on public health and drug safety is crucial. Educational campaigns targeted at galamsey-prone communities can help reduce the practice by highlighting the long-term health risks, including how it affects the availability and affordability of safe medications.
5. Research and Monitoring: Further research is needed to study the specific ways heavy metals from galamsey activities interact with pharmaceuticals. Continuous monitoring of water sources, soils, and plants used in drug production will provide valuable data to prevent contamination.

In conclusion, the illegal mining activities rampant in Ghana are not only an environmental and public health issue but also pose a significant threat to the pharmaceutical sector. If left unchecked, galamsey could lead to widespread drug contamination, reducing the effectiveness of life-saving medications and driving up healthcare costs. Tackling the galamsey menace requires collective action from the government, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, and the general public to ensure that the quality and affordability of medicines in Ghana are safeguarded for future generations.

Author
Yakubu Adam
Toxicologist,
Forensic Investigation for National Development-Ghana (FIND-GH)

References

1. Bortolotti M, Coccia G, Grossi G, Miglioli M. (1988). "Dissolution Testing as a Surrogate Marker for Drug Bioavailability." Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.
2. Dressman JB, Amidon GL, Reppas C, Shah VP. (1998). "Drug Bioavailability and the Role of Environmental Contaminants in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing." American Journal of Pharmacy.
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). "Global Threats of Environmental Contamination in Pharmaceutical Production." WHO Guidelines for Environmental Health.