Pharmaceutical Society Calls for Strict Monitoring to Curb Opioid Abuse
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana has urged the government and regulatory bodies to introduce more stringent measures and monitoring systems to tackle the increasing abuse of opioids, particularly among the youth in the country. This growing public health crisis has been fueled by the misuse and illegal sale of potent painkillers such as tramadol and codeine-based medications.Dr. Richmond Adusa-Poku, a member of the Executive Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, expressed his concerns during an appearance on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on March 31, 2025. He highlighted the dangerous rise in the illegal sale of opioids, particularly the high-dose 225 mg “street red” variant of tramadol, which has gained popularity in some areas. These drugs, when abused, can lead to addiction, mental health disorders, organ damage, and even fatalities.Dr. Adusa-Poku called on key regulatory bodies like the Food […]