Restricted Drugs List to be expanded

Story: Augustina Tawiah
THE Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Board are discussing the possibility of increasing the number of restricted drugs in the country.
The Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey, disclosed this during interactions with members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG).
He said the move was meant to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
He, however, stated that the expansion of the restricted drugs list did not mean that the local manufacturers should lose focus and produce sub-standard drugs.
"So far as you keep on manufacturing quality drugs, we will continue to expand the number of restricted drugs into the country," he assured.
Currently, the number of restricted drugs list stands at 66.
The minister noted that the time had come for the local pharmaceutical industry to develop in order to make its products more competitive on the international market.
"I urge you to grow your businesses, market them and penetrate other markets. By doing that, the economy of the country also grows".
During question time, the Director of M & G Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr Gopal C. Vasu, stated that the biggest problem facing the local pharmaceutical industry has to do with the delays associated with the claims they send to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
He explained that most of the manufacturers borrowed money from the banks in order to manufacture the drugs but said it was frustrating when drugs supplied to the scheme were not paid for on time.
Mr Vasu called for the representation of the association on the NHIS board.
The President of MPAG, Dr Michael Agyekum-Addo, also asked the minister to do something about the delays in the payment of their claims from the NHIA to sustain the local pharmacuetical industry.