For the adoption of Indian Pharmacopoeia in Ghana, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has agreed to provide support to that country by providing training to the technical officers, helping in capacity building for drug testing and also to provide some basic standards necessary for drug testing.

Top delegates from Ghana comprising of chief executive officer of Ghana FDA, chairman of parliament health committee, former health minister, secretary of West Africa Manufacturers Association and secretary of Pharmaceutical Association of Ghana, recently visited CDSCO headquarters and IPC at Delhi.

Hudu Mogtari, chief executive officer of FDA Ghana says, “We had discussion with Dr G N Singh, DCGI on how to start the collaboration in areas such as exchange programme and capacity building. We have agreed upon sending our technical people to Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission for short term course. We also have very qualified experts in our country and they will understand where the differences are and how to handle them in the initial stage.”

He further says, “There are a lot of things that are similar in Indian Pharmacopoeia and other Pharmacopoeias. But some aspects are slightly different so we want our technical team to understand them. Dr. G N Singh has also promised that they will supply some of the standards which will form the base for testing for a start. Then we can draw a road map as to exactly how it is going to happen in time line.”

Mogtari informed that Indian Pharmacopoeia will be recognised soon. He said, “We have started taking steps towards its recognition but the exact date and time cannot be told now as it has to escape the decision making process by the Ghana health ministry and it will not take very long. Our current law creates room for the recognition of pharmacopoeia apart from those that are specifically mentioned in the law. We don't need a separate law, its just a policy statement that would be issued that Ghana in addition to all the other pharmacopoeia has recogonised. We do not have to  make any amendment in our law for the recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia”.

Presently, 70 per cent of drugs are imported to Africa and India contributes around 55 to 60 per cent. The country faces problem of access to good quality, safety, efficacy and effective medicine. The country has recognised British Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia, International Pharmacopoeia and also has open space for any other pharmacopoeia. Ghana is one of the leading participants in the regulatory harmonisation that is taking place in Africa.