MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Liberian Leader, President George Weah, is calling on the Liberian Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) to enforce the law on fake drugs, without fear or favor.

President Weah, however, assured the LMHRA of his support in that line.

Speaking over the weekend, when he commissioned a modern temporary Quality Control Laboratory of the authority in Caresburg, Montserrado County, the Liberian Leader said the lab is important to protect the population against fake drugs.

President Weah praised the institution for the achievement, adding that he will support the ongoing construction of a national testing lab, within six months.

The temporary Quality Control Laboratory was constructed by the authority with support from USAID, Global Fund and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others.

Meanwhile, the local production of medicines, through a pharmaceutical company, is expected to commence in Liberia soon.

The disclosure was made on Friday, May 13, 2022, by LMHRA Head during the dedication of the laboratory.

Pharmacist Keturah Smith-Chineh described the initiative as a milestone in the health sector of Liberia.

Madam Chineh said:” President Weah ordered local production of medicines, with recent advice from the Head of Global Pharmaceuticals, Nelson Oniyama.”

At the same time, the Representative of the WHO, Dr. Peter Coleman, has hailed the Government of Liberia for advancing towards local production of medicines.

Dr. Coleman said:” Such move cuts down costs on import and storage, and the Government should invest more in the health of citizens.”

Also speaking, USAID Health Office Director, Sarah Healey, reaffirmed the institution’s support to Liberia’s health sector.

Madam Healey said:” Such support is being carried out through Liberia-USAID supply chain, direct commodity procurement, which includes sixty-percent of all malaria commodities.”

He added that the remaining forty-percent of USAID’s health support to Liberia is being done through all reproductive commodities.

By: Frederick Teegwiah