Gov`t must listen to Chemical sellers

THE Western regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Chemical Sellers (GNACS) has declared its intention to wage a relentless war on drug peddling in the region. According to the association, the practice of drug peddling has dented the image of their business and continues to pose threat to the lives of many Ghanaians, particularly the rural poor.

In a statement issued in Takoradi and signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Yaw Ofosu Hene, the association declared its intention to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service, Food and Drugs Board, The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Pharmacy Council and all district assemblies in the region to join forces, and to effectively nip in the bud the practice.

According to the association, research it conducted shows that many Ghanaians are spending millions of cedis annually on the treatment of complications they suffer as a result of the use of non-prescribed medications purchased from drug peddlers. Because the drug peddlers are not properly trained, they do not know the right indications, dosages, contra indications, side effects of drug and drug interactions.

The Chronicle appreciates the concern being expressed by the chemical sellers and hope that the law enforcement agencies and Ghanaians as a whole will give them the necessary support to fight the menace. It has become clichéd nowadays, to see people selling all sorts of Chinese drugs in vehicles and lorry stations.

We can not even tell whether the Food and Drugs Board have approved of these drugs, yet unsuspecting Ghanaians are buying them in droves, hoping that it would cure their diseases.

As noted by the Chemical sellers, most of the diseases being reported to the hospitals and clinics on daily basis are caused by some of these un-prescribed drugs because the users do not ascertain to know its side effect before taking them.

The Chronicle thinks it is about time the government took a firm decision on this issue, by banning sale of drugs in vehicles and other places without authorisation. We admit that this could throw people out of jobs, but it is better for it to happen and save precious lives than to lose them.