The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has arrested two people over the manufacture and distribution of falsified ‘Dr Alfred Capsules’, a dietary supplement marketed for male vitality on social media.
The products were adulterated with Sildenafil citrate, a prescription-only drug substance not declared on the label, and had not been registered by the FDA.
Following regulatory intelligence and enforcement operations, the FDA identified an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum, manufacturing and distributing the falsified products across the country.
The two suspects are on police enquiry bail and assisting with investigations.
The FDA said the capsules were produced in unauthorised, unregulated and unhygienic environments and posed a public health risk.
Laboratory analysis by the FDA’s Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) confirmed the presence of Sildenafil citrate, a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and prescription-only medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The genuine product is manufactured by CV Al Manar Herbafit of Jalan Imogiri, Bantul, DI Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and registered in Ghana by Unateus Ghana Limited as a food supplement.
The FDA stressed that the registered product does not contain Sildenafil citrate.
The FDA urged the public to be cautious when buying the product through social media and to report suspected cases of falsified medicines and food supplements via WhatsApp or call 0551112224/5, email fda@fda.gov.gh, or through the Authority’s social media platforms.
