ASH-FDA TRAINS HERBAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ON GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES
The Food and Drugs Authority Office in Ashanti Region engaged some selected herbal producers to train them on Good Manufacturing Practices at Miklin Hotel on 9th march ,2021. The training was aimed at highlighting on WHO’s guidelines for herbal manufacturing producers.
In an interactive section, Mr. Isaac Aviah a Senior Regulatory Officer said, WHO reports that, about 80% of developing countries depends on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs. So, it is essential as part of the FDA’s mandate to maintain safety, quality, and efficacy of the plant products to avoid any serious health problems.
He said “In Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority acts in consonance with Part 7, 8 and 9 of Public Health 2012, Act 851 to regulate the manufacture of herbal medicinal products.
Importantly, Mrs. Anita Owusu Kuffour, Principal Regulatory Officer highlighted that the GMP is part of quality management which ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled according to the quality standards appropriate to the intended use and as required by the marketing authorisation, clinical trial authorization or product specification.
She elaborated more on the fact that FDA is partnering its stakeholders such as the Herbal Manufacturers to improve upon their Premises and Equipment, Sanitation and hygiene, Quality Assurance, Personnel, Training, Documentation, Complaints and Recalls. She added that these procedures if carefully adhered to will help improve and sustain the herbal medicine producer’s industry in Ghana and West Africa.
Lastly, Mrs. Ellen Owusu Aboagye, advised the Herbal Medicine producers to be serious with the Corrective actions and Preventive actions documentation .She said “it will help standardize their activities”
Dr.Solomon Appiah Kubi,the President of H-MAC who doubles as the CEO of SOLAK Biochemist Ltd. called on the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adddo to support and sponsor research of the Herbal Association.He also retraited the talks that people should ignore rumours of traditional medicines not safe and efficacious .
Again ,he said the association really appreciates working with the Food Drugs Authority .
