Author: Lasuba Memo/Wol Mapal | Published: 33 minutes ago
TRAMADOL, a painkiller medication is considered one of the most abused drugs in Juba. – courtesy
The Pharmaceutical Society of South Sudan (PSSS) has commended the National Police Service, customs authorities and other security agencies for intercepting a consignment of six million illicit doses of tramadol at the Nimule border.
In a statement, the Society described the seizure as a significant contribution to efforts aimed at protecting public health and combating the illegal pharmaceutical trade in the country.
The Society said tramadol is a prescription-only medicine used to manage moderate to severe pain when prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals and used appropriately.
PSSS explained that “Tramadol is a legitimate prescription medicine recognized for the management of moderate to severe pain when prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals and used responsibly.”
However, it warned that the illegal importation, unauthorized distribution and non-medical use of the medicine pose serious risks to public health, patient safety and national security.
“The increasing abuse of tramadol, particularly among young people, is associated with addiction, impaired judgment, mental health disorders, overdose, and other life-threatening complications,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the increasing abuse of tramadol, particularly among young people, has been associated with addiction, impaired judgment, mental health disorders, overdose and other life-threatening complications.
The Society further said the illegal pharmaceutical trade exposes the public to counterfeit, substandard and unregistered medicines, undermining the country’s healthcare system and putting patients at risk.
The Pharmaceutical Society called for stronger regulation and enforcement of pharmaceutical importation and distribution, saying greater collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Drug and Food Control Authority, law enforcement agencies, customs authorities, healthcare professionals and development partners is essential to tackling pharmaceutical crime.
The statement also called for the strict enforcement of regulations governing prescription-only medicines to prevent unauthorized access to controlled medicines such as tramadol.
“We therefore, called for authorities to “strengthened regulation and enforcement of pharmaceutical importation and distribution.”
The Society urged pharmacists to uphold professional ethics, comply with pharmaceutical laws and regulations, and report suspected cases of illegal medicine distribution to the relevant authorities.
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