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Editorial

Let’s take measures to ensure safety of public’s health

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 Up until recently, there was an attempt of advertising for var­ious medicines on the market, and gullible victims purchased these medicines.

Unknowingly, people take un­approved medications every day, endangering their lives for a product they should be able to trust.

It is regrettable that some media outlets do not verify the legitimacy and efficacy of particular medica­tions before advertising them.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said that it will take ac­tion against the media for promoting unapproved medications.

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This is due to the fact that unap­proved medications put customers at risk because the FDA has not exam­ined them to assure their safety, efficacy, or product quality.

The Spectator suggests that the FDA should not only focus attention on the media but also on individuals who parade themselves in vehicles peddling a variety of drugs that they say may treat a variety of maladies.

Even though the majority of these unapproved medicines lack labels containing information on dose or the manufacturing process, people still use them in significant amounts to treat illnesses or condi­tions for which they are not indicat­ed.

However, some people assert that taking such unapproved medications may be useful in treating specific ailments. They should be aware that the lack of control renders the med­ications unreliable, hazardous, and a major issue that necessitates close monitoring.

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Innocent victims purchase these medications, but instead of feeling better after taking them, they de­velop a variety of health issues that may quickly result in death.

It is not unexpected that the prevalence of chronic illnesses and fatal conditions, such as heart, liver, and renal dysfunction, has been ris­ing recently. The FDA has a responsi­bility to safeguard vulnerable people from the dangers associated with these medications.

It is a truth that taking unautho­rised medications can have negative effects on one’s health as well as the health of their communities, country, and the entire world.

The Spectator therefore implores the public to verify before purchas­ing any medication to guarantee that it is both safe and efficient for the intended use.

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By Sections 100 and 114 of the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, and the FDA Guidelines for the Advertisement of Regulated Prod­ucts any unapproved promotion of FDA-regulated products as a preven­tive measure or treatment for an illness, ailment, or abnormal physi­cal state is prohibited.

According to the aforementioned standards, marketing executives of media organisations, both print and electronic, must adhere to the FDA advertising restrictions in order to avoid endangering the public’s health by promoting phony goods.

We must all take action to ensure the safety of the public’s health,

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Editorial

Unhygienic food selling environment: A serious concern that must be addressed

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Food stuff being sold near an open gutter

Dear Editor,

It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.

In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.

In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.

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While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.

I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.

Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.

However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.

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While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.

As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.

From Syram

Oyarifa

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Editorial

Provide adequate protection for footballers

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Dear Editor,

I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.

The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.

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Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.

I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.

From Eugene Ampiaw

Accra

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