The newly appointed medicines board was last Friday inaugurated by the minister of Health and Social Welfare at a ceremony held at the ministry’s conference hall in
Comprising of members, the new medicine board will among others advise the minister of Health and Social Welfare on all aspects of the manufacture, importation, sale and distribution of medicinal products in the
It will also advise and make recommendations to the minister of health for the registration of any approved medicinal product; and the use of essential medicinal products at different levels by specified categories of personnel in the public health care system.
Also part of its responsibilities is to advise and recommend to the minister for the registration of any article to be a medicinal product; the exemption of any article as a medicinal product; and the licensing of persons competent to deal with certain types of medicinal products.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the minister of health and social welfare, Fatim Badjie said the inauguration of the new board is to enforce the Medicines Act, which, she noted, make provision for the “controlling, the manufacture, importation, sale and distribution of medicine products and for other matters connected”.
She told the new medicines board that the vision of her ministry is “to provide quality and affordable health services for all by 2020” with the mission “to promote and protect the health of the population through equitable provision of quality health care”.
According to health minister Badjie, effective and efficient drugs management (manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and use) is key to the attainment of the above vision and mission of her ministry.
Highlighting some of the challenges that the new board faces, she pointed out the importation of essential medicines; distribution and uncontrolled sale of drugs; quality control of essential drugs and medicines; and the licensing of people and premises for the distribution and sale of drugs among others.
She also commended the members of the board for taking up to the challenge to serve the country through the capacity of the board.
For his part, Yaya Sireh Jallow, permanent secretary at the ministry of health and social welfare underscored the importance of the new board.
According to him, it is tradition that whenever a new Board is constituted, the minister will address the board, assure it of her support and share her vision and concerns on burning issues of the day.
This, she said, is in keeping with her responsibility as the custodian of the Medicines Act and all Acts for that matter, under the purview of the ministry, and who appointed to this Board after extensive consultations.
“The Board may from time to time review the policies of the Government on the use and application of medicinal products and make such recommendations as it considers necessary,” PS Jallow stated.
“We believe the trust and confidence reposed in you will pay dividend given the galaxy of experience and exposure that resides in the Board,” he added.
He assured the new board that the minister and the competent authorities will provide them with all the necessary support in the execution of their mandate.
The new board is comprised of Dr Mamady Cham as chairperson; Mrs Makieu Kaira-Janneh, chief pharmacist; Dr Tumani Corrah, director of MRC; Dr Kebba Daffeh, director of livestock services; Dr Amadou Samateh; Mr Essa Marenah; Dr Reuben Mboge, Mr Cherno Marenah of the AG Chambers; Mrs Ramou Cole-Ceesay, permanent secretary at the Office of the Vice President; and Mr Alieu Jammeh, director of the National Aids Secretariat.