The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has stated that most products enter the market without passing through approved routes for inspection.

It said that importers of most products bring them as personal effects to beat the FDB inspectors.

The Western and Central Regional Zonal Officer of FDB, George Pentsil said that the smuggled goods that enter the country were of poor standards and their origins unknown.

"Sometimes the labels are not written in English and one cannot tell even the expiry dates," he said.

"The same apply to local products," Mr Pentsil said adding, "but, most of these products come in as smuggled goods and before you know it they are on the market."

"Consumers must buy from the right source and not from vehicles or peddlers who sell at cheap prices," the officer said.

The FDB, Mr Pentsil said was tracking shop owners who flouted the drug law saying," we have issued caution and when there is still not compliance, we will prosecute them."

He said the FDB was liaising with Agricultural Extension Officers and Environmental Officers in the districts to monitor the sale of drugs.

He said that the fight against fake drugs and products was a huge one and appealed to the shop owners, consumers and the media to assist the FDB in tracking offenders.

Source: The Ghanaian Times