Pharmacy Chamber calls for education, punitive measure against opioid abuse

The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy has called for more punitive measures to be taken against individuals who illegally sell and misuse Tramadol 225, a highly potent opioid analgesic locally referred to as ‘Red.’

The Chamber’s call comes in response to the alarming rate of abuse of this drug, particularly among Ghana’s youth, which has raised significant public health and security concerns.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Chamber, Audrey Serwaa Bonsu, emphasised the urgent need for authorities to take decisive steps in curbing the abuse of Tramadol 225.

Drug

Tramadol 225, originally developed as a prescription painkiller for severe pain management, has in recent years become one of the most widely abused substances in Ghana.

The misuse of the drug has led to increased cases of addiction, severe health complications, and even fatalities, with the abusers, often young people, unaware of the dangers associated with excessive consumption; they use it as a stimulant or an energy booster.

Others misuse it for recreational purposes, seeking euphoric effects.

This growing crisis has led to calls from various stakeholders for stronger regulatory measures, enforcement of existing drug laws and a broader public education campaign.

Punishment, education

Ms Bonsu stressed that individuals caught selling or misusing the drug should face punitive actions, including fines and other legal consequences, stating that such measures would serve as a deterrent to others and reduce the drug’s widespread abuse.

“Sanction them or fine them and let the people know what happened to these culprits, and I feel that it will be a good deterrent.

Apart from that, there should be some form of public education. Sometimes, I believe that the youth are ignorant.”

Beyond the punitive measures, Ms Bonsu also emphasised the need for a wider and intense public campaign in schools and communities to educate people on the consequences of using the drug.

“Social media is now their ampe, ludo and the scrabble we used to play when we were younger, and so they are seeing all these things and learning from them and so the onus is on us to actually publicly educate them,” she emphasised.