Opiods abuse: We cannot afford to lose this fight – Health Minister charges Pharmacy Council

The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reiterated the need to win the fight against Opiods abuse among the youth in the country.

The Minister at an inaugural event of Council Members of some four agencies under the Ministry, charged members of the Pharmacy Council to help rid the country of Opiods.

Ghana is one of several West African countries witnessing an increase in opioid use in recent times. Opioid is a pharmaceutical product used to treat moderate to severe pain.

 

He was speaking during the inaugural event of Governing Councils of Pharmacy, NHIA, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives and the Medical and Dental councils.

Studies have shown that opiods use is more prevalent among young men working in the informal sector to cope with physical pain related to strenuous work and non-physical pain such as anxiety and uncertainty about their future prospects.

Access to opioids has become easier due to their illegal importation into the country through ports and other unapproved routes. And the sector minister is charging all agencies to take up the fight.

‘‘We cannot afford to lose the fight. We are relentless and we will pursue this fight. Whether we like it or not we must win this fight. This is affecting the most energetic wing of our population, the youth. And I can tell you it has consequences on the productivity and to a large extent the economy. And so, we cannot afford to lose this fight. We have the commitment of the President, we have put measures in place and we will pursue it to make sure we win the fight,’’ Mr Akandoh assured.

Chairman of the Pharmacy Council, former MP for Wa West, Joseph Yileh Chireh, assured the Council’s commitment to address the menace.

‘‘We will do the best to make sure that the practice of pharmacy, the standard of care and quality will be maintained at all levels. We join in the fight against drug abuse and it’s a common issue for all of us. Nobody wants another to die for taking the wrong medicine or getting crazy because it’s for the wrong purpose. It’s for that I pledge on behalf of the Pharmacy Council members that we will do all we can,’’ he assured.

The situation of drug abuse is in the country remains complex, and experts maintain the need for a strong regulatory framework.

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