Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a bid to enhance drug safety and prevent future health crises, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has introduced stringent guidelines for importing medicines into The Gambia. This move follows the tragic incidents of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) that resulted in the deaths of over 70 children. President Adama Barrow, who received MCA officials and delegates from the Pharmacy Association of The Gambia at the State House on Wednesday, emphasized the critical need for these measures.

The new regulations stipulate that all imported medicines must be labeled in English, clearly displaying the manufacturer’s name and address. Additionally, each package must bear a registration number assigned by the MCA. Importers are also required to provide samples for testing before their products can be imported into the country. These measures aim to ensure that only safe and effective medicines are available to the Gambian public.

“The status quo cannot be the same, and it has to be changed for good,” President Barrow asserted, advising the professionals to practice their profession with integrity. He stressed that his administration is committed to preventing any recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.

Mariama Sima, the Director of Drug Evaluation at MCA, highlighted the importance of compliance with the new regulations. She assured that the MCA would rigorously monitor and regulate the importation of medications to maintain high drug safety standards. “We have the ability to recall medicines and track down manufacturers in the event of quality issues,” Sima stated. She also urged patients to read and understand medication instructions before use.

The Pharmacy Association has proposed translating non-English medicine packages using stickers to label them. However, Health Minister Dr. Lamin Samateh expressed concerns about potential discrepancies this approach could create between importers and manufacturers. He suggested that stakeholders should be more flexible with labeling practices and seek to align with the new regulations.

Mahawa Njie, the Public Relations Officer of the Pharmacy Association, thanked President Barrow for his attentiveness and appealed for government intervention. He noted that the reforms by the MCA are causing a shortage of medicines and driving up prices.

In response, President Barrow insisted that shortages should not justify price hikes, reminding stakeholders of their responsibility to ensure the availability of safe, affordable, and accessible medicines for all citizens.