Pharmacy Board fines 76 defaulting pharmaceutical outlets in Regional Drive
The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone has taken its enforcement drive to the provinces concluding a two-day regional Disciplinary Committee Hearing in Bo and Makeni on the 1st and 2nd of October 2025 respectively.
The hearings which form part of the Board's quarterly compliance framework routine saw 76 pharmaceutical outlets fined for multiple regulatory breaches. The disciplinary measures form part of the Board's broader compliance framework which involves routine inspections disciplinary inquiries (fines) and where necessary closure and revocation of licences.
The outlets summoned included pharmacies drugstores and patent medicine shops operating in Kenema Bo Mattru Jong Makeni Mile 91 Lunsar Bamoi Kambia Port Loko and Magburaka. The infractions were identified following routine inspections conducted by the Board's Distribution Chain Inspection Department.
Major violations recorded included the absence of professionals in premises the presence of counterfeit and unregistered drugs and the illegal stocking of Class A B and other controlled substances in patent medicine shops—practices strictly prohibited under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act 2021.
In line with Section 12(1) and Section 12(4)(b) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act 2021 each violation attracted a fine of Le500. Offending outlets are required to make payments into the Pharmacy Board account within twenty-one (21) days of the Committee's ruling.
Thomas Joe Freeman Esq. representing the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Chair of the Disciplinary Committee emphasized that the purpose of the hearings is not merely to impose fines but to compel operators to desist from dangerous practices that pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of Sierra Leoneans. He warned that once the revised Act comes into effect non-compliant pharmaceutical outlets and enterprises will face outright closure or revocation of licences. He concluded with a stern warning that repeat offenders will face stricter penalties.
The Pharmacy Board urges all pharmaceutical operators across the country to comply strictly with licensing requirements ensure the presence of qualified personnel at all times and refrain from stocking prohibited or unregistered medicines. Failure to do so the Board warns will continue to attract disciplinary action.
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