Food and Drug Dept. investigating fake antacids, other drugs on local market

The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is investigating a businessman who is selling counterfeit drugs on the local market.

According to head of the department, Marlan Cole, reports were received that “a local individual is operating a clandestine operation and is releasing products on our market that is not tried or tested as it relates to safety, efficacy or quality.”

He said inspectors have visited some retail pharmacies and have found the questionable items.

The items he said are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs including antacids and other medications used by persons suffering from stomach ailments or heartburn.

Efforts are now being made to trace the origin of the items.

“We only know his location or where he operates from,” Mr. Cole said.

The investigation is in its early stages, however, if it is found that the individual is repackaging drugs, the businessman who has not been named, can be sentenced to prison and made to pay a fine.

“If the person is found to have a mini-lab in his/her home, photocopy some labels, buy some bottles from maybe Trinidad that is similar to some of the bottles that are used in Guyana, paste on the labels, do a concoction and releasing it on the market, then what would help we is to look at the product itself, look at the batch number and try to trace it back to the facility that it was manufactured. If that is not possible, then well it might be done locally,” Cole said.

The pharmacies, on the other hand, should not be purchasing drugs which cannot be traced back to the manufacturer.

If the items are found to be unsafe of illegal, the GA-FDD will be releasing the labels to the public so precaution can be taken when purchasing similar items.

The Department has in the past issued an advisory against the purchasing of food, drug, cosmetics and medical devices which does not carry the manufacturer’s details on the package.

The head of the Food and Drug Department was addressing the media on the sidelines of the opening of a two-day seminar for local food handlers at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Resouvenir, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The food handlers are mostly owners of small agro-processing businesses who are being taught best practices in the industry. The agency is looking to conduct a survey to look at the practices in the industry to ensure that they are of a specific standard.

Recently, the GA-FDD conducted a survey of Food Service Establishments in Regions Four and Six during which several unsanitary conditions were uncovered.

As a result, some restaurants were forced to close their operations until they can make the necessary changes.

Mr. Cole said the exercise is being extended to other regions while the inspectors have also increased their checks of food establishments.