By Nelson Manneh
The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has temporarily shut down the Opticalia Senegambia Branch after discovering the facility was importing unlicensed eye drops into the country. The eye drops, which entered through the Banjul International Airport, were found to be neither registered nor tested, violating MCA regulations.
Dr. Essa Marena, Executive Director of MCA, confirmed the closure on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, revealing that a routine inspection uncovered the breach.
“Our team visited the facility and found they were using eye drops that had not been registered or tested,” he explained. “We also discovered these products entered the country without undergoing the necessary testing procedures.”
The MCA, established under the Medicines and Related Products Act of 2014, is responsible for regulating the importation, distribution, and use of medicines and related products in The Gambia to ensure their quality, safety, and efficacy. Dr. Marena emphasized that the agency has a comprehensive list of approved medicines, and it is illegal for any entity to import medical products that are not registered.
“This facility has violated the law, and we are conducting an investigation to determine the appropriate course of action,” Dr. Marena said. “If the investigation warrants, we will take legal steps, including potential court action or an executive levy.”
The MCA is committed to ensuring that all medicines sold in the country meet legal standards, and Dr. Marena made it clear that Opticalia must comply with the necessary legal procedures if they wish to continue operating.
