The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) is worried that unbridled illegal mining activities could have devastating consequences on the manufacturing of drugs in the country due poor quality of water.
According to the President of the Society, Samuel Kow Donkoh, the contamination of water sources through galamsey could lead to the importation of water to support the production of pharmaceuticals.
“The activities of illegal Mining have devastated our water bodies. Making it expensive for pharmaceutical companies to treat water for production purposes”
“If this environmental degradation continues, we may soon import water to support our local manufacturing industry”.
He says the production of essential pharmaceutical products depends on access to good-quality water.
Speaking at its Annual General Meeting, the President of the Society, Samuel Kow Donkoh lamented the contamination of sources by illegal miners, noting it could lead to the importation of water for local manufacturing purposes.
“We cannot afford to compromise on the quality of our drugs. The health and well-being of our citizens depend on it,” he emphasized.
Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, indicated that measures are being instituted to curb illegal mining activities to enhance local production.
“There are laws in the country and we will make sure they apply but the fight is holistic so everybody should be on board. We are calling on all political parties to put their hands under a pact” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Society has expressed deep concern over the shortage of pharmacists in the public sector due to the government’s freeze on recruitment.
Kumawuhene, Barimah Sarfo Tweneboah Koduah, who represented the Asantehene, entreated the government to meet the financial needs of pharmacists.