Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding to combat drug peddling and medicine-related violations nationwide.
The landmark agreement was formalized on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, with Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu and PBSL Registrar Dr. James Komeh officiating the ceremony.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, IGP Sellu emphasized the significance of this collaboration, revealing that the MoU had undergone careful review by the police’s legal department over several months. “This is an important moment for our two institutions. The Sierra Leone Police has worked with the Pharmacy Board for years, and we are fully committed to fulfilling our obligations under this agreement,” he stated.
The police chief assured that the MoU would be implemented at all levels, with plans to cascade the agreement to regional commanders and circulate an official internal memo to ensure comprehensive support for Pharmacy Board operations. “Whenever the Pharmacy Board needs the Sierra Leone Police, we will respond,” he pledged.
Dr. James Komeh expressed appreciation to the police leadership for bringing this partnership to fruition. “This is something we have advocated for with previous IGPs, but we are grateful it has become a reality under the leadership of IGP William Fayia Sellu,” he said. The Registrar emphasized the importance of promoting awareness of the agreement among provincial police officers.
Dr. Moses Batema, Chief Pharmacist and Board Chairman of the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, underscored the partnership’s vital importance. “Drug peddling and other medicine-related violations pose major challenges to our public health system. This collaboration represents a significant step toward mitigating these problems,” he noted.
The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework encompassing joint enforcement operations, collaborative training programs, and coordinated efforts to protect citizens from dangerous pharmaceutical practices. Dr. Batema expressed enthusiasm about the wide-ranging collaboration, which will include both enforcement activities and joint training initiatives.
According to the agreement’s preamble, the increasing prevalence of medicine-related violations, including drug peddling, presents significant threats to public health and safety. Counterfeit medications, illegal drug sales, and non-compliance with pharmaceutical regulations not only undermine healthcare systems but also endanger consumers’ lives.
The initial agreement spans one year, though officials expressed optimism for extensions beyond this period.
This partnership represents the first formal collaboration of its kind between the two institutions, marking a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to regulate pharmaceutical practices and safeguard public health.
The signing ceremony drew senior officials from both institutions including Board members, demonstrating the organisations’ shared commitment to combating medicine-related crimes and ensuring regulatory compliance across the country.
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