By Kumba Leigh
The Medicines Control Agency, The Gambia (MCA) has recently conducted a routine inspection exercise where they inspected several cosmetic shops and supermarkets within the Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region.
The inspected items include medicines and related products (supplements). The exercise was meant to ensure that there is conformity to the required standards on the selling of supplements and steroids for public safety.
The exercise involved verification of the registration status of products, hygiene conditions, proper labelling of the counters, as well as the availability of utilities such as water and electricity and reference materials amongst others. Along this, sensitisation about the registration of cosmetics was conducted to ensure adherence to the Medicines and Related Products Act 2014 and Medicines and Related Products Regulation 2020.
At some premises visited supplements such as Collagens, Anti Bacterials, Relumins, Omega-3, Mega-food and Orbi-20 among others were found on sale without fulfilling the requirements of the Law. These products were confiscated, sealed and taken to MCA and case files were opened against the respective premises/persons at various police stations.
The owners of the affected premises were taken through the required processes and procedures to regularise their status in accordance with the Law. However, if the affected fail to regularise their status with MCA, the Police will go ahead to prosecute them in a competent court said Medicines Control Agency Authorities.
The Medicines and Related Products Act 2014 established the Medicines Control Agency with the mandate to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, use and advertisements of medicines and related products with respect to ensuring their quality, safety, and efficacy. Medicines include Orthodox Medicines, Herbal Medicines and Nutritional Supplements. Related products include Cosmetics, Medical Devices (equipment, diagnostics etc) and Household Chemicals.
