Sarjo Camara Singateh The governing boards of the Medicine Control Agency and the Pharmacy Council, for the first time, have been inaugurated by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare at a ceremony held at the ministry on Thursday, 22 January 2015. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Omar Sey, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, assured that his ministry and government will give every necessary support to the two bodies in ensuring high standards in the practice and service of pharmacies and pharmacists and that support staff are trained and service licenses for practitioners are provided, among other things. The Health minister said the creation of these two bodies is long overdue as there are lots of things that need to be done in both professions. He said his ministry will be giving subventions to both the agency and council as soon as the works starts. The executive director and secretary to the board is Mrs. Markieu Janneh Kaira Mr. Ismaila Sanyang, Permanent Secretary No.2 Office of the President, who doubles as the chairperson of the Medicine Control Agency, assured that the team has competent people who will deliver to expectation. For his part, Mr. Momodou K. Cham, the Registrar of the Pharmacist Council and a Member of the Medicine Control Agency, described this as the greatest land mark in the history of pharmacy in the Gambia and also an achievement for the practitioners. He also assured of quality service to be rendered by pharmacists in the country. Mr. Jimmy Olu Coker, the President of Pharmaceutical Society and Member of the Medicine Control Agency, also assured their readiness to work actively in ensuring that there is standard and quality service in the country. Dr. Nyambi Touray, a representative of the Veterinary Practitioners Association and also a member of the agency, said when one talks about health, majority of the people forget that veterinary has something to do with it. He said animal health is crucial to the health of human beings. He noted the challenges they faced, especially at the weekly markets known as ‘Lumo’ which is infiltrated with fake and substandard drugs. Almost all the speakers acknowledged the support being given by Mr. Cherno Marena , the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary, in putting these bodies in place.]]>
