The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL) serves as the national regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals medical devices and related products. Guided by a robust management framework the Board upholds the highest standards of governance transparency and efficiency in safeguarding public health.

The institution is managed by a dedicated team of professionals led by the Registrar supported by the Deputy Registrar and departmental heads who oversee the technical regulatory administrative and financial operations of the Board. Together they ensure that all medicines and related products in Sierra Leone meet the required standards of safety quality and efficacy.

Office of the Registrar

2. Pharm. (Dr.) Mohamed Sesay – Deputy Registrar of the Board

The Registrar provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Board’s activities while the Deputy Registrar supports the coordination and supervision of all departmental functions. supporting the Registrar and ensuring the smooth regulation of pharmacy practice.

Heads of Departments

The institution is managed by a dedicated team of professionals led by the Registrar supported by the Deputy Registrar and departmental heads who oversee the technical regulatory administrative and financial operations of the Board. Together they ensure that all medicines and related products in Sierra Leone meet the required standards of safety quality and efficacy.

PBSL is organized into specialized departments each headed by a qualified professional responsible for key regulatory and operational functions. These departments collaborate to ensure efficiency accountability and excellence in safeguarding public health.

Administration Department

Head: Mr. Abubakarr Jalloh

Oversees human resources logistics procurement records and general administration. The department ensures smooth internal operations staff welfare and coordination between the Board’s headquarters and regional offices. 

• Reviewing and updating policies  guidelines  laws  and regulations to ensure effective implementation across departments.
• Supervising and coordinating the national Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for pharmacists and allied personnel.
• Identifying priority issues for research and designing and managing studies to inform policy and regulatory actions.
• Supervising the internship program and administering pre-registration examinations for new professionals.

Policy Standards and Practice Department (PSP)

Head: Pharm. Esther Foday

Responsible for the formulation and review of pharmaceutical policies and guidelines licensing of new premises supervision of pre-registration training and coordination of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for pharmacists.

Drug Evaluation and Registration Department (DER)

Head: Pharm. (Dr.) Sheku Mansaray

Evaluates and registers medicines medical devices and cosmetics to ensure safety efficacy and quality before market authorization. Grants approval for medicines that meet required standards. Issues registration certificates and assigns registration numbers. Maintains a register/database of approved drugs. 

• Conducting pre-assessment of all samples dossiers and completed application forms for new product registrations as well as for renewals.
• Issuing Marketing Authorization Certificates through thorough evaluation of product dossiers and samples.
• Reviewing applications for product variations and advertisements  providing approval where appropriate.

Enforcement and Narcotic Control Department (ENC)

Head: Pharm. (Dr.) Joy Johnson

Ensures compliance with national drug laws through inspections investigations and enforcement actions. The department also monitors controlled substances and collaborates with law enforcement agencies to combat the circulation of counterfeit or illegal medicines. 

• Preventing and combating the importation  manufacture  distribution  dispensing  and selling of counterfeit  adulterated  banned medicines  and other regulated products.
• Combating the hawking of medicines and other regulated products that are not duly registered with the Board.
• Ensuring compliance with Sierra Leone’s obligations under international drugs treaties with respect to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Trials Department (PV/CT)

Head: Pharm. (Dr.) Onome Abiri Thomas

Monitors the safety of medicines after approval investigates adverse drug reactions and supervises clinical trials to maintain patient safety and uphold ethical standards. 

1. Pharmacovigilance (Drug Safety Monitoring)

Adverse Event Reporting: Collecting and managing safety data from clinical trials and healthcare professionals to identify potential safety concerns

2. Post-Marketing Surveillance

• Monitors the safety of medicines after they are approved and in use

• Evaluates real-world effectiveness and long-term side effects

• Recommends withdrawal or restriction of unsafe drugs

3. Risk Assessment and Management

• Assesses benefit–risk balance of medicines

• Develops risk management plans for drugs with safety concerns

Information and Communication Department (ICD)

Head: Pharm. (Dr.) Sahr Emmanuel Gbomor

Responsible for information management IT infrastructure public communication client services dispatch and digital transformation initiatives. The department also leads public education and awareness campaigns on safe and rational medicine use. Dissemination of accurate information.

1. Public Information and Awareness

• Educates the public on safe use of medicines

• Provides information on health policies regulations and services

• Runs awareness campaigns on issues like counterfeit drugs and drug misuse

2. Communication Management

• Handles internal and external communication of the board

• Prepares official statements press releases and announcements

• Ensures consistent and accurate messaging

3. Media Relations

• Engages with radio TV newspapers and online platforms

• Responds to public inquiries and media questions

• Promotes the board’s activities and achievements

National Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratory (NPQCL)

Head: Pharm. (Dr.) Michael Lahai

Conducts laboratory testing and analysis of medicines and related products to ensure compliance with regulatory standards thereby protecting public health. 

 Drug Quality Testing

• Analyzes medicines to confirm they meet required standards

• Tests for identity purity potency and safety

2. Detection of Substandard and Counterfeit Drugs

• Identifies fake adulterated or poor-quality medicines

• Helps prevent harmful products from reaching the public

3. Pre-Registration Analysis

• Tests drug samples before they are approved for registration

• Supports the Drug Evaluation and Registration Unit

Finance Department

Head: Mr. Emmanuel Stanton

Regional Offices

The Pharmacy Board operates regional offices in Bo Makeni Kenema and Port Loko each headed by a Regional Coordinator. These offices conduct inspections licensing and public health outreach at the regional level to ensure nationwide regulatory presence and effective service delivery.

Commitment to Excellence

Through visionary leadership and coordinated management the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone continues to uphold its mandate of ensuring access to safe effective and quality medicines. The Board remains committed to innovation digital transformation and strong partnerships in advancing public health and regulatory excellence.