Pharmacy Board Destroys Over NLe172,000 in Fake and Substandard Drugs in Kenema
KENEMA – In a decisive move to protect public health, the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL) on Saturday, 8th November 2025, carried out a large-scale public destruction of substandard, falsified, unregistered, expired, and deteriorated pharmaceutical products valued at NLe172,911.33. The operation took place at the City Dump Site in Telorma Community on the outskirts of Kenema, sending a strong message that illegal and unsafe medicines will not be tolerated.
The exercise involved the incineration of various illicit drugs, including tramadol, and was closely monitored by senior officials from the Board’s Distribution Chain Inspection Department, law enforcement personnel, civil society organizations (CSOs), and media representatives to ensure full transparency and accountability.
Allieu Katta, Officer-in-Charge for the Eastern Region, led the valuation and documentation process with support from members of the ad hoc task force. The final report was submitted to the Registrar of the Pharmacy Board through the Head of the DCI Department for official record-keeping.
The public event attracted several high-profile stakeholders, including Thomas Ade Williams, Chairman of the Pharmacy Board’s Eastern Region Ad hoc Taskforce; Mohamed Hutangua, Vice Chairman of the Taskforce; Augustine Sannoh, Chairman of the Civil Society Eastern Region; and Tamba Buffa, Head of the DCI Department.
Chairman Williams emphasized the Board’s unwavering commitment to cleaning up the pharmaceutical sector.
“We are determined to weed out the bad eggs from the medicine business,” he said. “Substandard and falsified drugs are a silent killer, and it is our duty as a regulatory authority to protect the health of every Sierra Leonean.”
Augustine Sannoh hailed the initiative as a milestone for drug regulation in the country. He urged continued cooperation between the Pharmacy Board, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to dismantle networks involved in the circulation of illegal medicines.
“This marks the beginning of a long-overdue revolution in Sierra Leone’s drug regulation system,” Sannoh stated.
Tamba Buffa assured the public that similar operations would be conducted nationwide to enforce pharmaceutical laws and prevent the sale of harmful medicines.
The Pharmacy Board reiterated its commitment to ensuring that only safe, approved, and high-quality medicines are available in Sierra Leone’s markets, safeguarding public health and consumer confidence.
©️Information and Communication Department, PBSL, +23299-117-117
