- Nana Agyeman Badu sentenced to 17 years with hard labour for selling expired medicines
- Additional fine of GH¢12,000 imposed; non-payment attracts 2 more years in jail
- Expired products confirmed unfit for human use through testing
The Circuit Court in Sunyani has sentenced Nana Agyeman Badu, an Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicine seller, to 17 years in prison with hard labour for selling and displaying expired medical products.
The sentence follows a joint operation conducted by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Bono Regional Police Command.
Delivered on April 29, 2025, by His Honour Sylvester Nii Okine Ablorh, the ruling represents a significant milestone in the FDA’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on unsafe pharmaceutical practices. Alongside the custodial sentence, Badu was also fined GH¢12,000.00. Failure to pay the fine will attract an additional two-year prison term.
The case originated in 2022, when expired medical products were confiscated from Badu’s premises in Chiraa, located in the Bono Region. Subsequent testing confirmed the products were unfit for human consumption.
In a statement, the FDA reiterated its dedication to safeguarding public health through strict enforcement of its regulatory mandate.
“Expired medical products pose serious health risks due to chemical alterations that may cause adverse side effects or treatment failures,” the FDA warned.
The Authority further encouraged the public to remain vigilant, report any suspicious products, and pledged to continue working with relevant agencies to remove unregistered and expired medicines from circulation.
