Medicines Control Agency

MCA Office at Sukuta Jabang Traffic lights

Medicines Control Agency (MCA) Strengthens Regulatory Collaboration with the Association of Cosmetics Vendors.

The Medicines Control Agency received in their office the Association of Cosmetics Vendors.
This meeting followed recent stakeholder engagement aimed at addressing the regulatory requirements of the local cosmetic products.

The Association acknowledged the importance of compliance with regulations but highlighted some of the concerns and challenges affecting compliance of cosmetics businesses.

In response to their concerns, Mr. Essa Marenah, the Acting Executive Director (MCA) explained that under the Medicines and Related Products Act 2014, MCA is legally mandated to regulate cosmetics in order to ensure that the products on the Gambian market are of quality, safe and efficacious, to safeguard public health safety.

He underscored the commitment of MCA in working with all stakeholders to ensure effective guidance and facilitation for regulatory compliance.

Further, Mr Marenah informed them of the relevant guidelines available on the Agency’s website, where all the regulatory requirements are outlined in accordance with the Medicines and Related Products Act, 2014.

In her remark Katrina Mendy (Rina skincare), President of the Cosmetics Vendors Association, noted that members had learned a great deal and now have a clearer understanding of MCA`s role as a regulatory body for cosmetics, nutritional supplements and herbal medicines. While affirming commitment to compliance, she requested some time from MCA for the association to fully align to the regulatory requirements for cosmetics and to ensure a smooth transition for local businesses.

Katrina described the meeting as productive, stating that it created a collaborative path forward between the Association of Cosmetics Vendors and Medicines Control Agency.

Choose authorized products and stay safe!

The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is pleased to inform the public, especially its key stakeholders, that it moved offices from Kotu to Sukuta, near the Traffic Lights and below is the Google map codes:

97XW+8HH Sukuta

Kindly note that from tomorrow, all official activities will be done at the Office, Sukuta.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Please call ...Qcell Toll-Free 1233 or 2434443/3655668

The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) The Gambia is currently hosting a stakeholder engagement

The session, bringing together Magistrates, Prosecutors and other officials from the Judiciary and The Gambia Police Force.

In his opening address, The Ag. Executive Director Mr. Essa Marenah reflected on the Agency’s transformative journey from 2015 to 2026. He highlighted the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) tragedy as a defining turning point that underscored the MCA’s critical role as the guarding of public health safety through Medicines and Related Products regulation.

Since the AKI incident, the MCA has accelerated its transition toward "SMART Regulation," striving to meet WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) standards.
He further emphasized that achieving these WHO Global Benchmarks requires a "whole-of-government" approach, calling for robust collaboration with Judiciary and other enforcement sectors to ensure swift action against substandard and falsified medical products.

It is important to note that MCA continues to maintain its ISO 9001:2015 Certification since 2019, ensuring that quality management remains at the heart of every regulatory decision for efficient and effective service delivery.

He closed on a high tone that “We are stronger when we work together, there cannot be a good healthcare system without standard regulatory framework in place. A safer Gambia starts with regulated, quality medicines”.



Foundation


-NEPAD

Medicines Control Agency Hosts Stakeholder Forum on Regulatory Mandates

The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has convened a high-level stakeholder engagement forum to sensitize industry players on its regulatory mandate and strengthen collaboration across the cosmetics sector.

The forum brought together manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, and advertisers to discuss compliance with national regulatory standards governing medicines, cosmetics, herbal products, and nutritional supplements.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tijan Jallow, Director of Operations at MCA, emphasized that the Agency’s vision is to align with World Health Organization (WHO) global regulatory benchmarks. He noted that while MCA serves as the enforcement arm of government-mandated laws, it also wishes to provide guidance to businesses.

“MCA is not here to witch-hunt or discourage you. Your businesses create jobs and contribute to the Gambian economy. We are here to support you to remain operational and safeguard public health, Mr. Jallow stated.

Fatou Faal, Legal & Enforcement Officer outlined the statutory framework for product compliance, Musa Corr, Principal Regulatory Officer also explained operational protocols for regulatory standards relating to Medicines and Related Products and Mariama Simah, Director, Evaluation & Registration, spoke on the mandatory registration requirements and processes for all products entering or leaving The Gambia.

Furthermore, participants raised concerns about registration fees, which some small and medium enterprises perceive as high. MCA encouraged stakeholders to actively participate in upcoming regulatory amendment consultations to ensure their interests are reflected in future updates as we are all Stakeholders who need to have public safety in mind.

Finally, the Agency concluded by reaffirming its commitment to collaboration and guidance to stakeholders while maintaining strict oversight to ensure public safety.

A Man Sentence to a fine of D200,000 for Storing Medicines in an unauthorised Premise.

Magistrate K. Bittaye of Bundung Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 has convicted and sentenced Mr. Ude Agwu to a fine of D200,000 for storing Medicines and Related Products in an unauthorised premise. This is a violation of section 59(1) (e) of the Medicines and Related Product Act, 2014.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Bobo Jarju, representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), narrated the facts of the event that led to the arrest of the convict.

Inspector B. Jarju informed the Court that MCA`s Inspectors inspected Mr. Agwu premise on 30 October 2025, and the Agency’s Inspection team found that he is operating an unauthorised premise in Tallinding, following which they seized all the Medicines and inventorised it in MCA`s quarantine and seizure form.
Mr. Ude Agwu was escorted to Talinding Police Station, where his statement was obtained, caution, and charged accordingly.

In his plea in mitigation before sentencing, the Counsel representing him pleaded on behalf of his client for the Judge to temper justice with mercy because Mr Agwu is a family man and have school going children, he expressed remorse for his action and henceforth he will comply with Medicines and Relaetd Products Act, 2014 and its subsidiary regulations.

Further, he pleaded for the Medicines to be returned to Mr. Agwu because he had a Licence to operate and that his offence did not cause harm to the public.

Magistrate K. Bittaye sentenced Mr. Agwu to a fine of D200,000 in default to serve two (2) months imprisonment. The Court refused the application to forfeited the drugs to the state and orders that the drugs be returned to the convict forthwith.

MCA remains committed to ensuring that all Medicines and Related Products circulating in the Gambian market are of the required quality, safety and efficacy.

The public is urged to report any suspicious medicines activities to the Agency`s Qcell Toll-Free 1233 or email: [email protected].

MCA Hosts National Task Force Meeting to Strengthen Fight Against Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (SFMPs)

The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) today convened a meeting of the National Task Force on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (SFMPs) at its Office, as part of activities under the National Action Plan against SFMPs.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to review progress made in safeguarding public health and to chart new strategies for advancing the fight against substandard and falsified medical products in The Gambia.

Speaking on behalf of the Acting Executive Director, Principal Administrative Officer Mr. Bubacarr Baldeh welcomed partners and expressed the Agency’s gratitude for their continued collaboration. He highlighted the importance of joint inspection exercises and cooperation at ports of entry, which ensure that all medicines and related products imported or exported comply with the Medicines and Related Products Act, 2014. Mr. Baldeh reaffirmed MCA’s commitment to engaging stakeholders in the collective effort to protect the public from unsafe medical products.

Director of Operations Mr. Tijan Jallow underscored the Agency’s ongoing work to meet regional, international, and WHO Global Benchmark Tool standards, ensuring that medicines circulating in The Gambia are of the highest quality, safety, and efficacy. He warned of the serious risks posed by substandard and falsified medical products, stressing that regulatory bodies cannot tackle the challenge alone and that stakeholder support remains vital.

The meeting concluded with discussions on strengthening data sharing and technical operations to enhance prevention, detection, and response mechanisms against SFMPs. Stakeholders agreed that closer collaboration is essential to safeguard public health and ensure that only quality, safe, efficacious medicines circulate to the Gambian population.

On 04 February 2026, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) convened a high-level Stakeholder Engagement Forum

MCA organised a forum with Stakeholders which served as a platform to align the Agency’s regulatory goals with the operations of Stakeholders, including Importers and Exporters, Distributors/Suppliers of Medicines and Related Products including Cosmetics and Medical Devices.

The Acting Executive Director, Mr. Essa Marenah, delivered the opening remarks, outlining MCA’s roadmap which also included the maintenance of its’ ISO 9001:2015 Certification since 2019 as inclined with international standards, thus as required by ISO MCA operations using the Quality Management System which ensures its Stakeholders and Public safety are of high importance to the Agency. In addition, the Agency also started its journey towards attaining WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) making it committed to "SMART Regulation," which balances rigorous oversight with operational efficiency.
On Human Capital Development, he informed that MCA requires a workforce equipped with advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to enable a meaningful service delivery to stakeholders.

Mr. Marenah emphasized that both under-regulation and over-regulation are detrimental to the healthcare ecosystem and will not be compromised, ensuring that safety, efficacy, and quality remain the priority of MCA.

Ms. Fatou Faal, Legal & Enforcement Officer, explained to Stakeholders about the new Amendment Act, 2025 which add a new dimension to MCA’s work relating to Marketing Authorisation and importation and it relates Section 26 , amended in 2025 by the National Assembly and accented by H.E The President on 20 January 2026 and Sub-section 4 and 5 which authorised the importation of Medicines and Related Product that are produced, manufactured or sourced and approved for sale and distribution from a Country with a Stringent Regulatory Authority (SRA).

Ms. Fatou Njie, Director Clinical Trial & Pharmacovigilance discussed the importance of ADRs/AEFIs reporting citing various outreach programs carried by MCA across the country highlighting the importance of reporting which will feed the National Pharmacovigilance Centre at MCA.
She encourages partners to be reporting of ADRs/AEFIs to MCA immediately within certain time frame, which will enhance decision-making accordingly.

Ms. Mariama Simah, Director Evaluation & Registration outlined the processes for product assessment and registration with emphasis on the requirements of listing, stating the guidelines for all the process are on MCA’s website and she encourages Stakeholders to read them for ease of collaboration with the Agency.

Mr. Tijan Jallow, Director of Operation, highlighted the importance of stakeholders supporting the agency by complying with the requirements for imports, export and licensing, which will minimize enforcement actions. He also reminded Stakeholder the importance of the letter shared with them which highlights the critical challenges the Agency faced in terms of compliance on various aspects including change of manufacturers licence number, unique flavour on the product and MCA registration number.

He stated MCA is still faced by challenges relating to expiry products disposal where some people will include items not approved for disposal and he encouraged Stakeholders to communicate with the Agency on time and to also do away from violating the Act to avoid regulatory sanctions.

There was a discussion which allowed Stakeholders to voice concerns, seek clarification on operational bottlenecks and make suggestions to MCA.

MCA Team provided clear, concise responses to all questions accordingly.
The Stakeholder Engagement Forum successfully bridged the communication gap between the Regulator and Stakeholders by fostering a spirit of "SMART Regulation" and partnership towards public safety.

The Clinical Trials and Pharmacovigilance Directorate, Medicines Control Agency (MCA), has successfully reached the final stages of its nationwide survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP)

This initiative aims to strengthen the national pharmacovigilance framework by capturing data from both healthcare providers and consumers to inform regulatory decisions.

The team visited all the country’s health regions, reaching the most remote communities to ensure a representative sample of the population. Concluding the exercise at Western Region 1 and Western Region 2, which are critical areas with high density of health facilities and diverse consumer base, will add more value to survey.
To ensure high engagement and quality data collection, the team utilized a structured outreach approach, each region visited, commenced with a formal meeting with the Regional Health Directorate Team to align a agoals and secure institutional support. Questionnaires were administered to frontline health workers to assess their technical knowledge and reporting habits regarding medicine safety and the team engaged directly with communities for a similar assessment.

Beyond data collection, the team shared vital information regarding the importance of reporting medicines safety issues to help bridging the gap between the regulator and the public.

The data gathered from these questionnaires will serve as a foundational tool for MCA and affiliated health organizations to Identify Knowledge Gaps by identifying specific areas where health professionals and consumers lack understanding and information on ADRs and AEFIs to assist evidence-based regulatory decision-making that will tailor future communication strategies to improve reporting rates nationwide.

MCA extends its gratitude to AUDA-NEPAD for their partnership and funding support through its AU-3S Project.