Pharmacy Council Announces Disciplinary Actions Against Practitioners and Facilities
The Pharmacy Council of Ghana has released a summary of disciplinary actions taken against pharmacies, pharmacists, over-the-counter medicine sellers (OTCMS) and other persons found to be in breach of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857) and L.I. 1645.
The sanctions arise from Disciplinary Committee hearings held on 28th July, 11th September, 16th October, 17th October and 23rd October 2025.
The Council affirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of pharmacy practice to protect the public interest. All practitioners are hereby notified that strict enforcement of the law will continue, and adherence to regulatory standards is mandatory.
A total of 22 cases were considered across two regions, Greater Accra and Northern. Cases arising from Tema are counted under the Greater Accra Region, with Tema indicated as a sub-locality where applicable.
The Committee established prima facie breaches, imposed fines, suspensions and revocations, and referred cases involving controlled substances for further action.
Table 1: Summary of Cases by Region
| Facility / Practitioner Type | Greater Accra | Northern | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacies | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Pharmacists | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| OTCMS | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Unlicensed Persons | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 9 | 22 |
SANCTIONED PHARMACIES
The following pharmacies faced disciplinary action for offences ranging from operating without adequate pharmacist supervision to the unauthorised supply of restricted medicines.
1. E.B. PHARMACY (Northern)
Offences: Permitting the pharmacy to operate without adequate, continuous supervision by a Superintendent Pharmacist, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Supply of Class A & B restricted medicines to OTCMS, contrary to Section 95(4) of Act 857.
2. DAKAL PHARMACY (Greater Accra)
Offences: Operating without adequate, continuous supervision by a Superintendent Pharmacist, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Operation of the pharmacy at an unapproved location, contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857; Unauthorised practice of medicine (administration of injections), contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857.
3. PALEM PHARMACY (Greater Accra)
Offences: Operating without adequate, continuous supervision by a Superintendent Pharmacist, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Unauthorised practice of medicine (administration of injections), contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857.
4. ST. MICHAEL’S PHARMACY (Greater Accra)
Offences: Operating without adequate, continuous supervision by a Superintendent Pharmacist, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Unauthorised practice of medicine (administration of injections), contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857.
SANCTIONED PHARMACISTS
The following pharmacists were sanctioned for failing to exercise effective and continuous supervision over the pharmacies under their charge.
1. PHARM. STEPHEN NII OBODAI ARBENSER (Northern)
Offences: Failure to exercise effective and continuous supervision over E.B. Pharmacy, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Permitting unauthorised supply of prescription-only and pharmacy-only restricted medicines to OTCMS, contrary to Section 95(4) of Act 857.
2. PHARM. ANTOINETTE SEFAKOR KLU (Greater Accra)
Offences: Failure to exercise effective and continuous supervision over Dakal Pharmacy, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Allowing operation of the pharmacy at an unapproved location, contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857; Allowing unauthorised practice of medicine, contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857.
3. PHARM. PATRICK OWUSU AGYEMAN (Greater Accra)
Offences: Failure to exercise effective and continuous supervision over Palem Pharmacy, contrary to Section 93(1)(b) of Act 857; Allowing unauthorised practice of medicine, contrary to Section 93(2) of Act 857.
SANCTIONED OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINE SELLERS (OTCMS)
The following licensed OTCMS operators were sanctioned for stocking and selling medicines outside their permissible scope of practice.
1. MRS. VIDA DELALI AMANKWAH (Greater Accra)
Offences: Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of psychotropic and narcotic (Doretta) medicines, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of injectables, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
2. MR. DARKEY SEYRAM COURAGE (Greater Accra – Tema)
Offences: Operating without a valid licence (licence not renewed since 2023), contrary to Section 94(2) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Practice of medicine on-site, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
3. MS. LAWRENCIA COSMOS (Greater Accra)
Offences: Relocation without authorisation from the Pharmacy Council, contrary to the conditions specified under Section 94(2) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, including narcotics (pethidine), contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Practice of medicine on-site, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
SANCTIONED UNLICENSED PERSONS
The following persons were operating without any valid licence or authorisation and were found to be stocking and selling restricted and narcotic medicines.
1. MR. KASSIM MUMUNI MAJEED (Northern)
Offences: Operating without valid authorisation, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, including morphine, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
2. MR. SULEMANA ISSAHAKU (Northern)
Offences: Operating without valid authorisation, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, including Tafrodol, Timaking, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
3. MR. SEIDU MOHAMMED (Northern)
Offences: Operating without valid authorisation, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, including morphine, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
4. MR. BINYITI KOFI KWAME (Northern)
Offences: Operating without valid authorisation, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Practice of medicine on-site, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
5. MR. TAHIRU ALAZA (Northern)
Offences: Operating without valid authorisation, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of Class A & B restricted medicines, contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857; Stocking, sale and supply of restricted medicines including uterotonics (Cytotec), unregistered narcotics (tramadol), contrary to Section 94(1a) of Act 857.
DEFERRED CASES
Hearings for the following cases involving three (3) pharmacists and three (3) pharmacies were deferred for the reasons stated. These cases remain pending before the Committee.
Table 2: Deferred Pharmacist Cases
| No. | Name of Pharmacist | Reason for Deferral |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharm. Dr. Frank Nelson Baruch | To appear before the Committee after completion of his Master’s programme in Germany. |
| 2 | Pharm. Audrey Akyea Eklemet | To enable the pharmacist to appear before the Committee with her Counsel, as requested. |
| 3 | Pharm. Gideon Drafor | To enable the pharmacist to respond properly to the Registrar’s initial query (authoring and signing the response himself). |
Table 3: Deferred Pharmacy Cases
| No. | Name of Pharmacy | Reason for Deferral |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biaka Pharmacy | To allow a fair determination of the case alongside submissions of the Superintendent Pharmacist, Pharm. Dr. Frank Nelson Baruch, who is currently outside Ghana. |
| 2 | Hillocks Pharmacy | To allow a fair determination of the case alongside submissions of the Superintendent Pharmacist, Pharm. Audrey Akyea Eklemet, who requested time to engage and appear with legal Counsel. |
| 3 | Goodman Pharmacy | To allow the Managing Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist to respond separately to the separate initial queries issued to them by the Registrar. |
PUBLIC ADVISORY
The Pharmacy Council reminds the general public that OTCMS licences are strictly limited to Class C medicines.
The stocking of injectables, prescription-only medicines, psychotropic substances, narcotics or unregistered medicines constitutes a serious regulatory breach and will attract severe and proportionate sanctions.
Wholesalers of pharmaceutical products are advised to desist from supplying medicines other than Class C medicines to OTCMS practitioners and should supply medicines to ONLY facilities duly registered and licensed by the Pharmacy Council.
Members of the public are encouraged to patronise only licensed pharmacies and OTCMS outlets and to report suspected breaches to the Pharmacy Council for prompt action.
