The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy (GNCoP) together with the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana (PIWA) are agitating over a proposed E.I. restricting the importation of some 142 pharmaceutical products by the Ministry of Health.

They expressed concerns that such restrictions will inevitably result in drug shortages and a surge in drug prices.

According to GNACoP, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association initially submitted a list of 116 products to the Ministry of Health but the Food and Drugs Authority subsequently advised the ministry and recommended only 38 pharmaceutical products for the import ban, citing the unavailability of special laboratories and the capacity of the local manufacturers. 

However, the list has been expanded to 142 products without any engagement with major stakeholders. 

During a press conference, the President of the PIWA, Dr William Addo stated that the Ministry of Health’s import restrictions on the 116 pharmaceutical products will have severe repercussions on the health sector.

He warned of a looming drug shortage, emphasizing the adverse effects this restriction could have on public health should the import restriction be implemented.

“Somewhere in 2016, pursuant to E.I. 181 the importation of about 49 products where restricted for the sole manufacturer of local companies. Then about two to three years ago, the local manufacturers apply to ministry of health for further additions to the list without any review of the previous 49 products.

“We asked for the data and no data was provided on that, this time they proposed 116 products to be restricted and after going through the list thoroughly Food and Drug Authority of Ghana only recommended the ban of only 38 products. however, the proposed E.I. draft by the MOH seeks to ban 142 products based on no data and this will affect you and I,” he stated.

The GNCoP and PIWA called for a comprehensive review of the import policy to prevent potential disruptions in the availability of essential medications.

The Executive Secretary of GNCoP, Fiifi Yamoah called for the E.I. to be suspended immediately for a broader engagement with key stakeholders like parliamentarians, policy makers, service providers, manufacturers, regulators, importers, research centers, practitioners and Ghanaians for their perspective and inputs.

The Chamber commended the government and affirmed their support for the vison to create a local pharmaceuticals manufacturing hub for Ghana.

They were optimistic that the process will be systematic, transparent and strategic in such a manner to avoid any potential public health crisis.

Additionally, they warned that if the E.I. is passed in haste could pose serious health risks for Ghanaians, cripple the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), destabilize the medicine security of the nation and cause huge price hike.