MONROVIA, December 24 (LINA) - The Managing Director of the Liberia Medical and Health Product Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) has called on Liberians to abstain from the intake of street drugs.

David Sumo said such drugs, especially the malaria treatment quinine, tuberculosis medications and the anti-retroviral drugs used by aids patients are poorly manufactured and highly counterfeited because of their demand, especially in Liberia.

He made the statement at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press conference held at the ministry in Monrovia on Wednesday.

According to Sumo, if the country is to get to zero Ebola infections by December 31, the influx of donated drugs must also be monitored to prevent the country from being used as a disposal site for expired and poor quality drugs.

He noted that the illegal importation of poor quality drugs and foodstuff poses a serious risk to the fight against the Ebola Virus, adding that government must increase surveillance at ports of entry to prevent those drugs from circulation to prevent Liberians from getting in harm’s way.

The LMHRA oversees the quality, safety and efficiency of medicines and health products as well as registration of pharmacies and the provision of licenses or permits to importers.
LINA