Herbal Medicine Practitioners have been advised to register their businesses with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as mandated by law and to also reap its accompanying benefits and opportunities.
The Ashanti Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), John Laryea Odai Tettey, noted that people are steadily shifting to the usage of herbal medicines in recent times therefore, it is appropriate that herbal practitioners get their drugs registered.
He added that it is through this registration that the efficacy of the medicines would be guaranteed due to the processes they would go through.
Mr. Tettey further has assured the herbal medicine practitioners of their readiness to offer technical assistance and their availability to register all of their products including; licensing of the manufacturing facilities, storing facilities and even their showrooms.
He noted that this would ensure their products get accepted and compete favorably on the international market.
“The FDA assures all manufacturers that it is readily available to offer technical assistance to the manufacturers and all the players in the value chain of herbal medicine products. Once your product is registered by the authority, it is acceptable globally,” he said.
Mr. Tettey gave this advice when he was addressing patrons at the maiden edition of the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) Herbal Fair in Kumasi.
The Fair was celebrated on the theme; “Exploring Healthcare through the Healing Power of Nature.” with several herbal medicine practitioners from all over the region in attendance including other stakeholders.
Regional Manager for KCCI, Jacquiline Bondzie, told the B&FT in an interview that the focus of the fair is to ensure that the over 450,000 herbal medicine practitioners in the Ashanti Region properly register their businesses. She added that they should also use the opportunity to expose them to the benefits and opportunities that come with it.
Chairman for the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Stephen Acheampong, for his part called on government and private entities to collaborate with them to grow the industry.
“I want to assure you that the KCCI is ever prepared to work with government and its agencies in ensuring a conducive business environment that would grow industries on a sustainable base in the region. There is the need to strengthen collaboration with the chamber from the private sector to boost development in the region,” he said.
KCCI leadership and other stakeholders in a group picture.
