It is one thing to withdraw certain medicaments from circulation and another to prevent their sale by unlawful means. Foroyaa has received a press release from Medicine Control Agency (MCA) indicating that the following medicaments are being withdrawn from pharmacies and drug stores because of their unfitness for consumption:
- Salbutamol Oral Solution BP 2mg/5ml, 100 ml manufactured by Ronald Pharmaceuticals PVT Ltd in India, imported and distributed in The Gambia by Serenba Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Plasmodial (Artemether 80mg and Lumefantrine 480mg 6 tablets/strip) manufactured by Alchemy Medicine PVT Ltd in India, imported and distributed in The Gambia by EMJ Pharmacy
It is important that the agency use the television, radio stations, newspapers and other media outlets to continue the momentum of informing the public not to buy these drugs and further call 1233 toll free on QCell or 3363608 to report any clandestine distribution of the product.
Additionally, the agency should look at the prices for the sale of essential drugs such as coartem and other drugs for diabetes and hypertension, to name a few. Foroyaa will begin an investigation to determine whether there is standardization of prices and if not to find out what is responsible for the variation.
We have received many complaints indicating wide price differences for the same drug produced in the same country. We hope the pharmacies will cooperate with our investigation so as to protect the consumers.
It should be realized that all citizens can subdue to illness against their will. It is in the common interest to have a health system that enables every citizen to get treatment that is due. Essential drugs should be available, accessible and affordable.
