Health Minister Declares Tapentadol Illegal as FDA Arrests Six in Crackdown on Illicit Substances

Ghana’s Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have intensified their joint efforts to combat the rise of illicit substance abuse across the country. In a major policy directive, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially declared that pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol—widely known on the streets as "Red"—are unregistered and illegal for medical use in Ghana. This declaration coincides with a targeted enforcement operation by the FDA’s Tobacco and Substances of Abuse Directorate, which resulted in the arrest of six individuals for the sale of dangerous, unregistered substances in Nungua.

The enforcement operation in Nungua targeted three entertainment venues following intelligence reports regarding the sale of prohibited products. During the raid, FDA officials seized quantities of nitrous oxide and Benylin cough syrup containing codeine, leading to the arrest of two suspects at each location. These individuals have since been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution. The FDA emphasized that these operations are part of its broader mandate to ensure product safety and protect the public from the devastating health consequences of substance misuse.

Central to the government’s current health agenda is the total ban on tapentadol. Minister Akandoh clarified that no tapentadol products are currently included in Ghana’s Essential Medicines List, making their possession, distribution, or sale a criminal offense. The drug "Red," which is typically a potent mixture of tapentadol and cough syrup, has been identified as a significant public health risk. The Minister noted that the FDA has not registered any form of this opioid for clinical use, and its presence on the market poses a direct threat to the safety of Ghanaian citizens, particularly the youth.

To ensure the effective removal of these substances from the market, the FDA is collaborating closely with the Pharmacy Council to conduct rigorous surveillance at retail pharmacies. This partnership aims to identify and seize unregistered medicines while educating retailers on the legal and health risks associated with opioid misuse. Authorities have established strict protocols for the safe disposal of seized products and warned that all offenders will face severe legal sanctions. Moving forward, the Ministry of Health and the FDA remain committed to sustained surveillance and public awareness campaigns to eradicate the illicit trade of dangerous narcotics.