Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, has emphasized that Ghana must not surrender its regulatory authority over medicines and health products in exchange for foreign financial assistance. He stressed that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) must retain the final responsibility for examining and determining whether medical products entering Ghana are safe for use. This statement comes amid concerns over provisions in a proposed US-Ghana health compact.
Dr Nawaane questioned why Ghana should allow medicines supplied under an international assistance programme to bypass the country’s regulatory processes. He cited the FDA’s regulatory standing, which has attained Maturity Level 3 under the World Health Organisation’s regulatory classification. This status indicates a stable, well-functioning and integrated regulatory system, making Ghana one of the first African countries to attain the designation.
The FDA's regulatory capacity ensures that medical products entering the country are safe for use. Dr Nawaane pointed out that accepting financial support from an international partner should not require Ghana to compromise its regulatory safeguards. He noted that medicines and other health products can spend considerable time in transit or at ports before reaching their intended destinations, emphasizing the need for regulatory checks.
Dr Nawaane referred to the establishment of the African Medicines Agency and questioned why Ghana should not continue exercising its own regulatory responsibilities over products entering the country. He emphasized that the fact that a product was considered safe at its point of production should not remove the need for regulatory checks once it reaches Ghana.
His comments come amid concerns over provisions in a proposed US-Ghana health compact relating to the regulation of medicines and other medical products. President John Mahama has said the proposed arrangement would have prevented the FDA from inspecting certain medicines and medical products supplied under the programme. Dr Nawaane's concerns align with President Mahama's reasons for Ghana rejecting the compact.
For Dr Nawaane, the issue is not whether Ghana should accept international support, but whether such assistance should come at the expense of the country's ability to independently protect public health. He maintained that foreign assistance should complement Ghana’s regulatory systems rather than override them. Dr Nawaane made these statements during an interview on TV3.
Dr Nawaane's stance is supported by the fact that Ghana has a well-established regulatory system. The FDA's role in ensuring public health safety should not be compromised for foreign aid. Key points include:
Key points
- Ghana must retain regulatory authority over medicines and health products.
- The FDA has attained Maturity Level 3 under the World Health Organisation’s regulatory classification.
- Foreign assistance should complement Ghana’s regulatory systems, not override them.
