PBSL holds dialogue meeting with SLP on MoU to combat drug peddling
BO CITY – The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL) on Thursday November 20 2025 held a dialogue meeting with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Southern Region to discuss the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at combating drug peddling in Sierra Leone. The meeting took place at the Regional Police Headquarters in Bo City.
Dr. Mohamed Sesay Deputy Registrar of the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone stated that while both organizations have maintained a working relationship over the years the decision to formalize their collaboration through an MoU will enhance operational effectiveness and create a structured framework for joint action.
The Memorandum of Understanding is designed to strengthen collaboration law enforcement coordination capacity building and public awareness campaigns. The agreement will facilitate joint operations between the Pharmacy Board and the Police promote information sharing advance training and capacity development initiatives and support public education campaigns aimed at eradicating drug peddling and the sale of counterfeit medicines in the country.
In his statement Dr. Moses Batema Chairman of the Pharmacy Board expressed concern about the alarming rise of drug peddling unqualified medical practitioners and counterfeit drug sales across Sierra Leone. He highlighted particularly dangerous practices including the sale of medicines from vehicles which exposes them to adverse weather conditions and renders them harmful for consumption.
"Our purpose of coming here is to popularize this document to the police nationwide. This document details our respective responsibilities and is ultimately about saving lives and improve wellbeing for our citizens " Dr. Batema stated.
He emphasized the critical role of the police in extending the Board's reach. "The police are everywhere in the country but we as Board members are limited in our coverage and we expect them to assist us in this fight. The Sierra Leone Police is a force charged with the mandate to protect lives and property. Likewise the PBSL is committed to saving lives by preventing the illegal distribution and sale of medicines."
Andrew M. Kamara Assistant Inspector General and Regional Commander for the Southern Region thanked the PBSL for the partnership and pledged the police force's full support to the initiative.
"The Sierra Leone Police is always ready to serve this nation and it is our duty to protect lives and property. This operation and the information shared here will be cascaded to every personnel of the force " AIG Kamara affirmed.
The meeting concluded with a detailed interpretation of the MoU document ensuring that all attending officers understood their roles and responsibilities in implementing the partnership at the regional and local levels.
©️Information and Communications Department PBSL-+23299117117