Liberia Confronts an Existential Health Crisis Threatening National Well-being and Stability.
Liberia is currently grappling with a severe health threat due to the widespread presence of substandard and expired drugs and medicinal products, according to Luke L. Bawo, the Managing Director of the Liberia Medicine and Health Product Regulatory Authority (LMHRA).
Bawo revealed that approximately 45% of medicines and health products in Liberia are either expired or substandard, posing a significant risk to public health.
These alarming details were shared during a media engagement workshop organized by the LMHRA in Monrovia. The workshop, themed “Preventing False Advertisements on Health & Non-Health Products,” aimed to educate the media on the dangers of misleading advertisements and the importance of promoting accurate information.
Bawo expressed concern over the limited testing of health products, noting that only about 20% undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and efficacy. He also highlighted the issue of approximately 180 tons of expired products scattered across the country, which could re-enter the market if not properly managed and disposed of.
“Liberia faces an existential health threat. The products we have are as dangerous to people’s lives as the diseases we aim to prevent,” Bawo stated, emphasizing the substandard quality of many commodities in circulation.
He questioned why patients often do not recover despite visiting formal health facilities and using prescribed medicines, attributing this issue to the prevalence of expired or substandard products.
“The LMHRA disclosed that only 20% of health commodities undergo proper testing. We are not fully compliant with the required testing to ensure only safe, efficacious, and high-quality commodities are available in Liberia,” he said.
Bawo also pointed out the flood of expired products in the country, noting that a recent assessment found nearly 180 tons of expiring drugs at various locations. If not properly managed, these products could find their way back into the market.
Another major issue discussed was the distrust in the formal health sector due to substandard products. Bawo noted that when patients do not experience the expected outcomes from formal health channels, they often turn to alternative sources, undermining the efforts of healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies.
“When people don’t get well from formal health facilities, they start looking for other sources, including traditional healers and informal markets,” Bawo said.
He emphasized the LMHRA’s mandate to ensure that all medical and health-related products in circulation meet stringent quality, safety, and efficacy standards. “Our mandate is to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of health commodities in Liberia,” he stated.
The workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration between the LMHRA and media institutions to combat false advertisements. Discussions covered LMHRA regulations on advertising medicines and health products, highlighting the shared responsibility of businesses, media representatives, and advertising agents in ensuring the accuracy of advertisements to protect consumers.
Participants were informed about the LMHRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance testing facilities for health commodities, emphasizing the need for improved testing to bolster safety measures and public health outcomes. Various experts presented on the critical situation and potential mitigation strategies.
The LMHRA underscored the crucial role of the media in disseminating reliable information on health products, reaffirming the importance of collaborative efforts to safeguard public health and restore confidence in Liberia’s formal healthcare system.
“We are pleased to engage the media today. The prevalence of false advertisements contributes to public confusion about what to do, what to take, and where to go. To ensure the safety and quality of health commodities and protect public health, we must curtail false advertisements, and the media plays an essential role,” Bawo concluded.
Bawo’s remarks also underscored the LMHRA’s commitment to improving regulatory measures and public awareness. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing health issues, including stricter enforcement of regulations, enhanced surveillance of health products, and increased public education campaigns.
This includes random inspections, market surveillance, and stringent penalties for violators,” Bawo stated. “We are also working closely with international partners to adopt best practices and improve our regulatory frameworks.”
The LMHRA is set to roll out a series of public awareness campaigns aimed at educating the populace about the dangers of substandard and expired drugs, as well as the importance of seeking health products from reputable sources.
“We believe that public education is key to addressing this issue. People need to be informed about the risks associated with substandard and expired drugs and the importance of purchasing health products from authorized dealers,”
During the workshop, participants engaged in interactive sessions where they discussed the impact of false advertisements on public health and brainstormed strategies to counteract misleading information. Media representatives were encouraged to play a proactive role in fact-checking advertisements and reporting any suspicious health products.
” Accurate reporting and vigilant journalism can help prevent the spread of false information and protect public health,” Bawo emphasized.
The LMHRA also plans to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers, pharmacists, and community leaders to ensure that health products meet the required standards. Collaborative efforts will focus on improving the distribution chain, enhancing product traceability, and ensuring that expired products are safely disposed of.
“Healthcare providers and pharmacists will play a vital role; they are on the front lines of this issue. Their collaboration is vital in identifying and removing substandard and expired products from the market. We are working on developing a robust system for reporting and managing these products,” Bawo noted.
In conclusion, Bawo reiterated the urgent need for collective action to address the existential health threat posed by substandard and expired drugs in Liberia. He called on all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to join forces in safeguarding public health and ensuring that every Liberian has access to safe, effective, and high-quality health products.
“We cannot do this alone. This work requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. Together, we can protect our people and build a healthier, safer Liberia,” Bawo concluded.
The workshop ended with a renewed commitment from media representatives to support the LMHRA’s efforts in promoting accurate health information and combating false advertisements. Participants expressed their readiness to work collaboratively to enhance public health outcomes and restore confidence in Liberia’s healthcare system.
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