Two Nigerians have been arrested by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for distributing and selling fake Vermox and Postinor 2 tablets on the Ghanaian market.

Both medicines contain no pharmaceutical active ingredient, the FDA said in a statement by its Chief Executive Dr. Stephen K. Opuni on Wednesday.

“The FDA, with the assistance of the Accra Regional Police Command, yesterday arrested two (2) Nigerians, Nduka Ogbonna Fidelis and Vincent Emmanuel, thepeddlers of the fake Vermox and Postinor 2 tablets, both residing at Agege, Mamprobi,” the statement noted.

Further investigations conducted by the FDA revealed that the fake medicines were smuggled into the country from Nigeria by road.

“Vermox tablets are indicated for treatment of worm infestations whereas Postinor 2 is an oral emergency contraceptive.”

The the fake Vermox has a batch number of 9CL2400 with a manufacturing date of 09/2013 and expiry date of 08/2017

“The general public, especially pharmacies, licensed chemical shops, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities are hereby cautioned against buying medicines from drug peddlers and other dubious sources.  Medicines purchased from these sources are not only fake but are also transported and stored under improper conditions, which could result in their deterioration well before their stated expiry thus putting the health of consumers of such medicines at risk.”

Meanwhile, the two alleged Nigerian counterfeiters are in police custody awaiting trial.

The FDA want information from the general public on persons in any practice possible of endangering public health and safety with respect to FDA’s mandate to channel it through any of the following contact numbers; 0244337235, 0246809509, 0244571563 or 0544863418.