Tobinco apologises for importing fake medicines; assists BNI in investigations

The Executive Chairman of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and the Director of Bliss GVS Pharma, distributors of anti-malaria suppository, Gsunate Plus, have been invited by the Bureau of National Investigations to assist the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in investigations over alleged importation of fake drugs.

A statement issued by the FDA said the Chairman of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mr Samuel Tobbin and the Director of Bliss GVS Pharmam, Mr S. N Kamath have admitted to importing and distributing fake anti-malaria drugs and apologised to the FDA for engaging in the act.

It said, the two were made to sign an undertaking dated September 26, 2013, not to import or distribute unregistered or fake medicines onto the Ghanaian market.

The statement said Mr Kamath in a letter to the FDA confessed to that the Gsunate Plus suppository was fake and that no clinical trial study had been conducted on it, and admitted that the drug was not used to treat Malaria in children in India although malaria was prevalent in that country.

The FDA over the past two weeks have seized over 100 medicines imported and distributed by Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Out of the number, only seven (7) have duly been given approval by the FDA. The approved medicines are; Nifin 20-R Tablets, Slipizem 2.5mg Suppository, Slipizem 5mg Suppository, Lonart tablets, Lonart Forte Tablets, Lonart Oral Suspension and Ciprotab Tablets.

Apart from the approved list of medicines, the FDA is cautioning the general public not to patronise any other medicines from Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Bliss GVS Pharma-India, since their efficacy, safety and quality cannot be guaranteed.

Graphic.com.gh/Ghana