FDB request consumers to buy only wholesome items

Takoradi, Aug. 16, GNA- The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has requested consumers to insist on buying only wholesome items despite the Board's determination to ensure the safety of their clients by identifying and riding the market of fake and expired drugs and food items.

Customers have also been encouraged to lodge their complaints with the Board and other relevant authorities for the necessary action. Mr George Pentsil, FDB Zonal Officer in charge of the Western and Central Regions, gave the advise in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the Board's post market surveillance exercise, in Takoradi on Tuesday.

He said the FDB had seized and destroyed drugs valued at about 31 million cedis to rid the markets in Sekondi and Takoradi of unwholesome items, in the on-going exercise.

They included antibiotics, vitamins, anti-malaria and anti-hypertensive drugs seized from 20 pharmacy shops and 13 licensed chemical shops. Mr Pentsil reminded pharmaceutical and chemical shop owners that it was criminal to sell expired drugs or any commodity without expiry dates. He said the Board would intensify the exercise, and warned that any one caught contravening the laws on drugs and food items would be severely sanctioned.