Over-the-counter Practitioners Launch Campaign Against Tramadol; FDA Spells Out Punitive Actions Against Offenders

The Ashanti Regional Director for Food and Drugs Authority, John Laryea Odai-Tettey has urged Over-the-counter Practitioners in Ghana to desist from selling tramadol, opioids, and red to clients who visit their facility without a prescription notice from a physician. Speaking in an interview during an official campaign launch against hard drugs at the Centre for National Culture on Tuesday, 13th May 2025, he noted that the growing spate of tramadol abuse amongst the youths is traceable to the lack of a stringent order regarding its sale. He noted that while only 50mg and 100mg dosage of tramadol have been legalised for sale, some unscrupulous persons smuggle higher dosages to the market.

According to him, while tramadol is essential for relieving moderate to severe pain, its abuse could cause irreparable damage to the human system. He has, therefore, hinted that the drug law enforcement unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Pharmacy Council would rigorously deal with any perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Acting Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Michael Kudebong has said that as part of the fight against tramadol and opioids, authorities would soon launch an official education campaign for all licenced over-the-counter sellers, schools and churches on the devastating effects of these drugs on abusers.

According to him, the findings of a research show that 24 percent of university students in Ghana abuse opioids. He has, therefore, noted that the smuggling of these drugs would cease if the Customs Division and the Ghana Immigration Service also join in the fight to sanitise Ghana’s ports and borders.