Importers of Pharmaceutical products in Sierra Leone have raised serious concerns over prolonged delays in clearing medicine containers at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, accusing procedures at the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) and other agencies operating at the port of creating bottlenecks that threaten public health and increase in the costs of medicines in the country.
The concerns were raised during a meeting with Members of Parliament, held at Committee Room One, in the House of Parliament where importers appealed for urgent intervention to address what they described as an inefficient container examination process.
According to the importers, medicine containers are often subjected to 100 percent physical examination, a process they say significantly delays the release of pharmaceutical products. They argued that the lengthy inspections expose temperature-sensitive medicines to unsuitable storage conditions, potentially compromising their quality and effectiveness before they reach hospitals, pharmacies and patients.
One importer told lawmakers that pharmaceutical products are being kept at the port for weeks under conditions that are unsuitable for medicines.
“Medicines are not ordinary goods. They should not remain in containers at the port for two or three weeks because the conditions are not suitable for pharmaceutical products,” the importer stated.
The importers further complained that congestion at the port has worsened the situation, noting that theft and insecurity around container handling have become major concerns.
They said the delays create shortages of essential medical supplies, forcing pharmacies and hospitals to struggle to meet public demand.
According to the stakeholders, the pressure on importers has become unbearable because containers carrying medicines remain stranded while demurrage charges and other port-related costs continue to accumulate.
They explained that truck drivers are increasingly reluctant to transport pharmaceutical containers for examination because the process takes several hours, sometimes extending into the early hours of the morning.
“Drivers may spend until three or four o’clock in the morning waiting for just one container to be examined. As a result, many refuse to carry pharmaceutical containers because they lose the opportunity to do other business the following day,” an importer explained.
The importers proposed the establishment of a large and dedicated warehouse where containers selected for physical examination could be moved immediately after arrival.
Under the proposal, customs and other inspection agencies would conduct examinations inside the warehouse rather than leaving containers parked at the port for extended periods. Once the inspection is completed and officials are satisfied, the importer would be issued with an exit clearance.
They argued that such a system would reduce congestion, speed up clearance procedures and better protect sensitive pharmaceutical products.
Appealing directly to Parliament, the importers urged lawmakers to intervene with the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, the National Revenue Authority (Customs) and other relevant institutions to review the current examination procedures.
They maintained that while they support government efforts to prevent smuggling and ensure regulatory compliance, the current system is imposing unnecessary delays that ultimately affect patients across the country.
The stakeholders warned that if urgent reforms are not introduced, the continued delays could result in shortages of essential medicines, increased treatment costs and further pressure on Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
MP acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the pharmaceutical importers that the issues would receive attention through the relevant parliamentary oversight mechanisms.