By Ramatoulie Jawo.
In fulfilling its regulatory duties to safeguard public health, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) took action on Thursday by disposing of expired, substandard, and falsified medicines confiscated from various locations.
Established under the Medicines and Related Products Act of 2014, the MCA is tasked with overseeing the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, and promotion of medicines and related items. Its responsibilities encompass ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products, which include herbal items, cosmetics, medical devices, and household chemicals.
The disposal of the confiscated expired and substandard products was overseen by medical professionals from various sectors of the healthcare industry.
Tijan Jallow, Director of Operations at the MCA, addressed the event, shedding light on the methods used to identify and seize substandard and expired medicines within the country.
“Medicines are not any ordinary article of commerce. In most instances, consumers are not in a position to make decisions about when to use medicines, which medicines to use, how to use them and weigh potential benefits against risks as no medicine is completely safe,” he said.
He emphasized the dangers posed by expired and low-quality medicines, highlighting their potential to cause treatment failures, drug resistance, and even fatalities.
Moreover, he underscored the collective responsibility in combating counterfeit and substandard medications, applauding the concerted efforts of various stakeholders in guaranteeing the importation of high-quality, secure, and effective drugs into the country.
Dr. Essa Marena, the Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency, disclosed several regulatory initiatives his department has implemented to fulfill their objectives.
“Today we are doing regulatory inspection, and post-marketing surveillance, during the exercise of these functions the agency one way or the other would see some medications because of several reasons either they are expired or they were illegally imported or the products are of substandard or there are falsified. So various reasons lead to the seizure of this medication that we are about to dispose of today,” he said.
Dr. Jerreh Sanyang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) assured that MCA will ensure quality services and medications are available to the Gambian population.
“Be rest assured that the MCA will not leave any stone in touch to ensure that quality service and quality medications are available to the Gambian populations,” Sanyang assured.
He mentioned that the exercise would showcase the MCA’s efforts and serve as a deterrent for those involved in illegal drug importation.
Dr. Momodou Bittaye, representing the Minister of Health, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their efforts in safeguarding public safety.
Dr. Selassi Dalmeida, the World Health Organization’s country representative, reiterated their commitment to ensuring the quality of imported medicines in The Gambia.
He emphasized that the exercise sends a strong message that counterfeit and substandard drugs are unacceptable within the country.