Gambia: President Barrow prioritizes health safety, engages MCA

His Excellency President Adama Barrow convened a crucial meeting at the Statehouse on Wednesday, engaging with delegates from the Pharmacy Association of The Gambia, the Medicine Control Agency (MCA), and the Ministry of Health.

The discussion centered around the pressing challenges faced by the Pharmacy Association arising from new MCA regulations governing the importation of medicines into The Gambia.

The MCA has implemented stringent guidelines in response to alarming reports of Acute Kidney Injury cases that tragically led to the deaths of several children.

These regulations require all imported medicines to be clearly labeled in English, displaying the manufacturer’s name and address.

Furthermore, each medical package must include a registration number assigned by the MCA, and importers are mandated to submit samples for testing prior to importation.

During the meeting, President Barrow welcomed the pharmaceutical team, marking a pivotal moment in their engagement with the government.

He urged the representatives to practice their profession with integrity, emphasizing that the newly introduced regulations were a necessary response to past tragedies.

“The status quo cannot be the same, and it has changed for good,” he asserted, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future.

Mariama Sima, the Director of Drug Evaluation at MCA, underscored the vital importance of adhering to these regulations. “We have the ability to recall medicines and track down manufacturers in the event of quality issues,” she remarked, highlighting the need for patients to be vigilant in reading and understanding medication instructions before use.

In a proactive effort to address concerns, the Pharmacy Association proposed translating medicine packages into local languages and utilizing stickers for labeling. However, Health Minister Dr. Lamin Samateh raised caution, suggesting that this could lead to discrepancies between importers and manufacturers.

He encouraged the association to collaborate with stakeholders to explore more flexible labeling solutions while adhering to the established regulations.

Mahawa Njie, the PRO of the Pharmacy Association, expressed gratitude to President Barrow for addressing their concerns and urged government intervention. He pointed out that the MCA’s reforms are hindering the importation of essential drugs, resulting in shortages and rising prices for consumers.

Responding to these concerns, President Barrow firmly stated that a shortage of medicines should never be an excuse for pharmacies to inflate prices. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of its citizens, advocating for collaboration among stakeholders to provide safe, affordable, and accessible medications to all Gambians.

This meeting marks a critical step towards safeguarding public health in The Gambia, as the Barrow administration seeks to balance regulatory compliance with the urgent need for accessible healthcare solutions.