Pharmaceutical importers have raised serious concerns over persistent congestion at the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), alleging that delays in clearing consignments, theft, and insecurity surrounding container handling are significantly affecting the importation and distribution of medicines across the country.
The concerns were raised on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, during a hearing of the Parliamentary Committee chaired by Hon. Wuyatta Songa at Committee Room One in the House of Parliament.
Opening the engagement, Committee Chairperson Hon. Wuyatta Songa commended importers for ensuring that Sierra Leone does not run out of essential medicines and other health-related products despite the challenges confronting the sector.
“We want to thank everybody who is making sure Sierra Leone does not run out of medication. You import medicines, cosmetics and other essential products that keep the country running every day,” she said.
However, the Chairperson expressed grave concern over what she described as widespread irregularities involving some pharmaceutical importers, revealing that the Committee has received numerous complaints and documentary evidence implicating certain operators in unethical practices.
According to her, Parliament possesses evidence against some importers but would not publicly accuse those against whom no evidence exists.
“As lawmakers, we cannot accuse anyone without evidence. Where we have evidence, we have the responsibility to act. Some issues will be addressed publicly while others will be handled privately before the Committee,” Hon. Songa stated.
She disclosed that Parliament is now considering a comprehensive review of the country’s pharmaceutical import licensing and registration system to ensure that only qualified and compliant businesses are allowed to import medicines.
“We want to take the bull by the horns. Parliament now wants to examine the registration process through which people obtain certificates to become pharmaceutical importers,” she said.
Hon. Songa warned that the increasing number of importers without adequate regulatory control has created serious challenges for the country’s drug supply chain.
She further alleged that investigations have uncovered evidence of some importers bringing substandard medicines into Sierra Leone.
“We have evidence that some medicines imported into this country are extremely substandard. Some products labeled as containing 50 milligrams of an active ingredient actually contain only between five and ten percent of what is indicated on the label,” she alleged.
She described the practice as a serious threat to public health and stressed that Parliament would not tolerate the importation of medicines that endanger the lives of citizens.
Before commencing the Committee’s investigations, Hon. Songa invited pharmaceutical importers to openly explain the difficulties confronting their businesses and identify areas where Parliament could intervene.
“I want to hear from you. Tell us how business is going, the challenges you face, what Parliament should know and what assistance you expect from us. Sometimes, hearing directly from you will answer many of the questions before this Committee,” she told the importers.
Responding on behalf of several importers, participants highlighted congestion at the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority as one of their biggest operational challenges.
They complained that prolonged delays in clearing containers increase storage costs, disrupt the timely supply of medicines and expose consignments to deterioration.
The importers also raised concerns over theft and inadequate security at the port, alleging that containers are sometimes tampered with while awaiting clearance, resulting in financial losses and disruptions to business operations.
They urged Parliament to intervene by improving port efficiency, strengthening security around cargo handling, accelerating customs clearance procedures and addressing bottlenecks that continue to affect legitimate pharmaceutical businesses.
The hearing forms part of Parliament’s ongoing oversight of the pharmaceutical sector aimed at ensuring the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines while strengthening regulatory compliance and protecting public health.
The Committee is expected to continue its engagements with regulators, importers and other stakeholders as it examines measures to improve the country’s pharmaceutical importation system and eliminate the circulation of substandard medicines in Sierra Leone.