The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has disposed of 4152 bottles cough syrups.
The cough syrups were disposed of because they contain a banned substance, codeine and were impounded at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra after they were found concealed in duvets, packed in suitcases, back packs and other traveling bags.
The codeine containing cough syrups were disposed under circumstance the FDA said was safe with the collaboration of Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Customs Exercise and Preventive Service (CEPS) of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The Codeine Cough Syrup was disposed of at the Adepa Landfill Site, Nsawam under the supervision of the Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency.
It will be recalled that the Ministry of Health on September 26, 2018 issued an Executive Instrument banning the importation, manufacture and registration of codeine containing cough syrups under section 116 of the Public Health Act, 2012.
The FDA has also revealed that the importers of the Codeine containing cough syrup which arrived in the country from South Africa have been identified and handed over to the police for investigations and possible prosecutions.
The cough syrups with a street value of GH₵332,160 were imported into the country in three different consignments by three different importers.
Story: Sena Nombo/Radiogoldlive.com
