FDA intercepts smuggled Hepatitis B vaccines at Ghana-Togo border
The vaccines were concealed within the compartments of a Nigeria-plated Toyota commercial vehicle in an attempt to bypass regulatory checks.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has intercepted 120 boxes of unregistered Hepatitis B vaccines being smuggled into Ghana through the Aflao border in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
The vaccines were concealed within the compartments of a Nigeria-plated Toyota commercial vehicle in an attempt to bypass regulatory checks. However, vigilant FDA officials discovered the contraband during a routine inspection on the night of March 11, 2025.
Smuggling Tactics and Health Risks
The unregistered pharmaceutical products were found hidden in the door compartments and the tire area of the vehicle. According to Gordon Akurugu, the Volta Regional Director of the FDA, the improper storage of these vaccines, which require a controlled temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius, could compromise their integrity and pose serious health risks.
"Imagine these vaccines, stored in unsuitable conditions, being administered to patients. Their safety and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Moreover, drugs are not allowed to be transported through inland borders, making this an outright seizure," Mr. Akurugu stated.
Legal Actions and Caution to Importers
The driver, identified as Obina, is currently in police custody and is set to appear before the court on March 13, 2025. He claimed that the consignment was handed to him by someone else, but authorities insist he will face the full force of the law.
Mr. Akurugu further cautioned importers and residents against using unauthorized inland borders for pharmaceutical imports. He urged stakeholders to use designated ports and ensure proper documentation to comply with Ghana’s drug safety regulations.
The FDA remains committed to safeguarding public health by preventing the entry of unregulated and potentially harmful pharmaceutical products into the country.
