In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister for Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced that the drug tapentadol is not authorized for medical use within Ghana. He emphasized that the sale, distribution, and possession of tapentadol, including the street drug colloquially known as “red,” are unlawful activities.
Addressing inquiries from members of Parliament, Mr. Akandoh clarified that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has not sanctioned any pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol, whether as a standalone substance or in combination with other active ingredients. "Presently, the FDA has not registered any pharmaceutical product containing tapentadol either alone or in combination with other active ingredients for medical use in Ghana," he informed the legislative body.
The Health Minister further elucidated that tapentadol does not feature on Ghana’s Essential Medicines List nor in any national treatment guidelines. This omission renders its importation, distribution, and utilization illegal. "Tapentadol and tapentadol-containing products are not in the Essential Medicines List, neither are they in any of our treatment guidelines. Consequently, the sale, distribution or possession of such products is illegal," he asserted.
Mr. Akandoh also issued a stern warning against the circulation of “red,” a street concoction made from tapentadol and cough syrup. He described it as an illicit substance that poses significant public health risks. "I state, it’s unapproved, it’s unregistered and it’s not part of our treatment guidelines, and so any importation of such drug is illegal," he added.
In response to these concerns, the FDA, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council, has intensified its routine inspections and surveillance efforts at both retail and wholesale pharmacy outlets. This initiative aims to detect and eliminate unregistered opioid products from the market. The Health Minister emphasized that these measures are designed to ensure that controlled medicines are dispensed strictly in accordance with approved regulations, thereby minimizing the risk of diversion and unauthorized access.
Furthermore, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders, is amplifying public education campaigns on the dangers associated with the misuse of illicit opioids, including tapentadol. He noted that the FDA continues its efforts to seize unregistered opioid products as part of a broader strategy to curb their sale and safeguard public health.
These concerted efforts underscore Ghana’s commitment to maintaining stringent controls over pharmaceutical substances and protecting its citizens from the potential hazards posed by unregulated drugs.
