The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the marketing authorisation of Omama Herbal Mixture after laboratory analyses confirmed that the product had been adulterated with prescription-only medicines.
In a statement signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni, the Authority said the decision followed a market surveillance exercise conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.
Tests revealed that the herbal mixture contained Diazepam, Metronidazole, Paracetamol, and Niacinamide, which are allopathic drugs not permitted in any registered herbal preparation.
According to the FDA, Omama Herbal Mixture had been registered solely as a herbal remedy for malaria and loss of appetite. The inclusion of these substances, the Authority noted, posed serious health risks to consumers.
“The medicines found in Omama Herbal Mixture are dangerous when taken without prescription or advice from a qualified health professional,” the statement cautioned.
The FDA has therefore advised the public to stop purchasing or using the product immediately. It also announced that it was working with Omama Herbal Group Limited to recall all affected batches from the market for safe disposal.
Additionally, the Authority disclosed that both regulatory and criminal actions had been initiated against those responsible for the adulteration, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health.
“The FDA will not relent in its effort to ensure public health and safety,” the statement stressed.
The public has been urged to report any individuals, pharmacies, or over-the-counter medicine sellers found offering Omama Herbal Mixture for sale to the nearest FDA office.
