Mobile Pharmacy: A Booming Business, ‘Killing’ Many

The aim of medicine is to prevent diseases and prolong lives but it is more precarious when the medication earnestly sought for plunges the ailing into greater complications and if not fortunate—death.

An investigation by the PUBLISHER reveals that Ghanaians are not afraid to patronise medicines that are craftily arranged on trays, in baskets and containers or more commonly peddled by unlearned persons confidently posing as pharmacists.

But 27-year-old self-acclaimed “mobile pharmacist”, Daniel Adu Gyamfi, says people who buy medicines from unauthorized persons must be wary.

The Experience

It is said that he who studies medicine without books sails an uncharted sea.

Certainly, Daniel concurs to the truth that he took the chance to travel a journey he knows not where it would end.

Two years ago, when he had packed bag and baggage to come down south to seek greener pastures, the only place he had heard he could make quick money was at “Kantamanto” as an “Obroni wa wu” seller to wit “second hand clothing” retailer.

That was his intention until he was told that a gold mine awaited him as an “uneducated Pharmacist”.

“I went through a six months training at the drugstore but with that I was not given any certificate or license.

“That is why police can arrest us at any time because we pose a health threat the public, our job is completely illegal,” Daniel told the PUBLISHER.

Though the mobile pharmacist agrees that his source of livelihood is dubious, he says he sometimes saves lives.

“Even these days, the police have stopped worrying us because they themselves know we are helping,” Daniel said.

This confirms the submission of Aunty Mansa, a trader at the Makola market.

According to her, there are hardly any clinics or pharmacies in the area to cater for their needs.

“These para-para people are the only people around to help us when we have some small-small headaches, stomach upset or body pains,” she says.

Giving his own account Martey a 43-year-old porter at the Kantamanto market said he came to work with diarrhoea and it was only the “para-para” guys that helped him.

“Para-Para” Drugs Cost Less

“Para-Para” as they are usually called in the markets, sell their drugs almost half the price at the pharmacy.

Our reporter in a bid to test the system, purchased a medication called “Ladinas” a treatment for menstrual cramps for GH¢2 but a cross-check at a licensed pharmacy shop revealed the drug cost GH¢5; Wormplex 400 sold for GH¢5 at the drugstore is sold at GH¢1.5 on the “para-para” tray.

This raises a lot of concerns about the authenticity of the drugs peddled by these unskilled persons especially at the influx of fake and low standard drugs in the country.

Some of the medications found in the “para-para” box are painkillers, anti-biotics, blood tonics, anti-malaria drugs, cardio medications, condoms and pregnancy test kits just to mention a few.

In spite of the low cost of medicines, Daniel says he makes close to GH¢100 on a good day.

Authorities Speak about the risks

Though Daniel and his “para-para” colleagues try to make a case for their livelihood, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have warned the public to stay away from it.

Speaking to the PUBLISHER, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Food and Drugs Authority, Mr James Lartey stated categorically that, “Medicines are not supposed to be sold at ordinary places like markets, lorry parks, buses…in actual fact medicines are not to be vendored.”

According to him, medicines should only be sold in pharmacy shops, licensed chemical shops, hospitals clinics or maternity homes.

Mr Lartey in cautioning the public, said “Some few years ago, a staff of FDA sat in the bus and someone was selling medicine in the bus, the medicine that the person was selling was a painkiller…a restricted painkiller…then the person was giving a dosage of two tablets, three times a day meanwhile the maximum you can take for that medicine is one tablet two times daily. What do you think would happen to the consumer?” he asked.

Still touching on the risks of buying medications from peddlers, Mr Lartey said if the medicine is not stored properly, though it’s expiry date may be intact, it may go bad.

The FDA’s submission connects to the Publisher’s findings that while the vendors walked beneath the scorching sun in search of customers, some of their medicines where tied in polythene bags.

“Probably his wife prepares food and they cook early in the morning in large quantities and he has kept the medicine near the fire, it could create a problem― you may end up buying something deadly,” Mr Lartey submitted.

Regulations

The FDA says they have embarked on a number of swoops to arrest such peddlers but they still return to the streets.

“At Agbogbloshi about 23 people were arrested and taken to court and the court freed them because they were first time offenders… It’s an exercise that we do often but I must be honest, it is not sustainable and it is not working,” the PRO submitted.

To reverse the trend, Mr Lartey said, “I think punishing people will help but I feel consumers must be educated to refuse to patronise these things.”

“So, I think that the media has to help…the TV presenters, radio presenters can sign off their programmes with a message to their listeners urging them not to buy medicines from hawkers… the strongest regulator is the consumer,” he added.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]