By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a strategic move to strengthen Sierra Leone’s pharmaceutical sector particularly in the harmonization and control of drugs the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL), in collaboration with the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative, has hosted a high-level regional dialogue on Drug Harmonization and Control Mechanisms.
The pivotal national dialogue took place in York Village, located on the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. The event convened key stakeholders from across the African health and pharmaceutical ecosystem to address regulatory challenges, align policies, and chart a strategic framework for robust medicine regulation and harmonization efforts both nationally and continent-wide.
The dialogue attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from national regulatory institutions, health ministries, pharmaceutical importers, international development partners, academia and civil society organizations.
In his keynote address, Dr. Moses Batema, Chief Pharmacist at the PBSL, emphasized that the engagement forms part of the Board’s broader effort to enhance drug safety, harmonize regulatory practices with regional and international standards, and tackle the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines* in Sierra Leone.
“Drug regulation cannot be the sole responsibility of one institution. It requires collective vigilance, harmonized standards, and well-informed enforcement,” Dr. Batema said.
He described the dialogue as a pivotal step toward reshaping public attitudes about the use and misuse of medicines and reaffirmed PBSL’s commitment to strengthening drug control mechanisms and pharma vigilance systems.
Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, praised the timeliness of the dialogue, stressing the need for effective regulations to curb the misuse of medicines across Africa.
“Harmonisation goes beyond technical alignment it’s about building systems that are efficient, transparent, and accountable,” he said.
Dr. Kenneh urged the Pharmacy Board and its partners to implement strong legislative reforms that would empower regulators to enforce laws effectively and deter unlicensed drug distribution.
Dr. Wiltshire Johnson, a representative from the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH), warned that medicine regulation in Africa is being undermined by non-medical professionals.
He criticized the current regulatory culture as “appalling” and called for greater action from PBSL, AMRH, and other key stakeholders to ensure proper management of medicines across the continent.
Sierra Leone’s Solicitor General, Robert Kowa, also addressed the press, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to supporting drug regulation through legal enforcement.
“Anyone found guilty of misusing medicines or selling drugs without a proper license will face the full weight of the law,” he declared.
Representatives from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the West African Health Organization (WAHO) reaffirmed their support for Sierra Leone’s regulatory reform efforts. They expressed commitment to helping the country implement a sustainable drug harmonisation and control management system.
Participants unanimously acknowledged several pressing challenges, including weak regulatory frameworks, porous borders facilitating illegal drug trade and limited public awareness.
These issues, experts say, endanger public health and erode trust in healthcare systems. As a way forward, stakeholders agreed to enforce stricter laws, establish robust surveillance systems, and enhance cross-border regulatory cooperation.
In closing, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone pledged to incorporate the dialogue’s outcomes into the Board’s 2025 reform roadmap. The roadmap aims to foster a resilient, transparent, and people-centred pharmaceutical system.