Between September and November, the Pharmacy Council in Ghana has taken action to close down over 100 pharmaceutical shops due to illegal operations and the prescription of incorrect medications.
Dr. Daniel Danquah, the Deputy Registrar of the Council, emphasized their commitment to enforcing regulations and stated that actions will be continued against non-compliant pharmacies.
He highlighted that approximately 10 companies underwent disciplinary procedures, resulting in closures. Compliance led to reopening at the regional level, although the Council was not directly informed of these cases.
Addressing the magnitude of closures, Dr. Danquah explained, “If you are trying to put together facilities that have been closed down within the year, it is a lot. We can have 100 closed down in two or three months,”
The Pharmacy Council has intensified efforts to combat illegal pharmacies, with a particular incident in July involving the closure of a pharmacy in the Ashanti Region after a 5-year-old child received the wrong treatment at Life Dream Pharmacy in Kenyasi-Adwumam, Kwabre East Municipality.
In addition to taking action against illegal practices, the Council is focused on enhancing the quality of pharmacy services in Ghana.
Initiatives include the development of a new training program for pharmacists and efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework governing pharmacies. Dr. Danquah emphasized the Council’s dedication to collaborating with pharmacies to ensure lawful operations.
