The Managing Director of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), Luke Bawo, has challenged newly certified pharmacy technicians to make patient safety, professional integrity, accountability, competence, and ethical practice the cornerstones of their careers as they enter the healthcare system.
Bawo made the call on during the Liberia Health Management Sciences University (LIHMSU) Oath, and Honors Program for Pharmacy Technicians held in Monrovia on August 29.
Dr. S. Michael Chu Nepay, Director of Program Planning, Evaluation, Monitoring, Research and Statistics (PPMERS), delivered the Keynote address.
The program was held under the theme: “The Benefits of Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician.”
Dr. Nepay highlighted ongoing LMHRA efforts to strengthen medicines regulation, and public health protection.
He emphasized the need for effective medicines regulation collaboration among manufacturers, importers, distributors, healthcare institutions, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, other healthcare professionals, and patients.
Dr. Nepay, according to a release, congratulated the graduating pharmacy technicians, and commended LIHMSU’s administration, and faculty for their contribution to develop a new cadre of healthcare professionals.
He said, professional certification represents more than an academic achievement; it marks the beginning of a responsibility to patients, communities, and the healthcare system.
An honor says: “You have done well.” An oath says: “Now, this is what is expected of you.”
Dr. Nepay stressed the need for professional success to be demonstrated, not merely through academic credentials, but through accuracy, integrity, responsible medicine handling, respectful patient care, and strict adherence to professional standards.
He identified patient safety as a fundamental responsibility of pharmacy technicians, noting that medicines are not ordinary commodities, but critical healthcare interventions on which patients depend.
Nepay meanwhile, urged the new professionals to exercise the highest level of diligence in medicine handling, and storage, inventory, and stock management, documentation, communication, and support for accurate dispensing.
“Never underestimate the significance of your role.”
Nepay noted that seemingly minor errors in medicine-related activities can have serious consequences for patients, and undermine public confidence in the healthcare system.
He encouraged the new professionals to build confidence while remaining humble enough to recognize the limits of their knowledge, skills, and professional authority.
He urged them to seek guidance whenever necessary, emphasizing that asking for assistance is not a weakness, but a critical component of responsible professional practice.
Particular emphasis was placed on understanding, and respecting the scope of practice of pharmacy technicians.
“Knowing your scope of practice is itself a form of competence.”
Dr. Nepay explained how knowing when to consult pharmacists, or other appropriately qualified professionals protects both the pharmacy technician, and most importantly, the patient.
He further challenged the graduates to view certification as the beginning, not the end of their professional development.
He said, Liberia’s pharmaceutical, and healthcare environment continues to evolve in response to new medicines, technologies, regulatory requirements, professional practices, and changing patient needs.
He therefore encouraged the technicians to embrace lifelong learning by reading, asking questions, participating in professional development programs, learning from experienced colleagues, accepting constructive criticism, and remaining open to new knowledge.
“The best professionals are not those who believe they know everything. They are those who remain curious enough to keep learning.” Dr. Nepay also reminded the graduates that their responsibilities extend beyond individual career advancement. Liberia, he said, needs a competent, ethical, and committed healthcare workforce capable of treating healthcare as both a profession, and a public service.
He challenged each graduate to consider the broader impact of their professional choices: “What kind of healthcare professional will I become, and what kind of health system will my work help create?” Accordingly, he said: “Strong regulation requires strong professional practice, and strong professional practice contributes to a safer medicines environment.”
Nepay disclosed that the LMHRA is working toward the decentralization of regulatory services to all 15 counties by the first quarter of 2027. The initiative will be implemented in phases, beginning with selected counties before progressively expanding nationwide. The effort is expected to involve regulatory pharmacists, public health technicians, pharmacy technicians, and other relevant personnel, bringing regulatory services closer to communities throughout Liberia.
Dr. Nepay also disclosed that the LMHRA has opened its pharmaceutical waste management site in Koko Town, Ziwor Road, Lower Margibi County. The facility is expected to strengthen the capacity to safely manage, and dispose of pharmaceutical waste while promoting responsible environmental and public health practices.
He further highlighted the Authority’s partnership with Quality Management Solutions under a public-private partnership arrangement to establish a state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratory.
According to Dr. Nepay, the facility is expected to enhance Liberia’s scientific capacity to test medicines, herbal products, and medical devices, while supporting third-party testing of food and petroleum products.
The expanded laboratory capacity is expected to provide a stronger scientific foundation for medicines regulation, product quality assurance, and public health protection. As the graduates prepared to take their professional oath, Dr. Nepay reminded them that the oath must extend beyond the ceremony and become a standard for everyday professional conduct.
He added: “An oath has no value if it is only spoken. Its value is demonstrated through action.”
Dr. Nepay congratulated the newly certified pharmacy technicians and honorees on behalf of Managing Director Dr. Bawo, and the entire LMHRA. He urged them to remain humble, teachable, ethical, and committed to professional excellence throughout their careers.
He also commended LIHMSU’s faculty and administration for their contribution to Liberia’s healthcare workforce and recognized the parents, families, and supporters whose sacrifices helped the graduates reach the professional milestone.
Administering the Oath and Honor, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Board of Liberia, Dr. Menlor P. Z. Dunah, congratulated the graduating class and LIHMSU’s management for their sustained efforts in producing pharmacy technicians capable of contributing meaningfully to Liberia’s healthcare system.
Dr. Dunah disclosed that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders, discussions are underway toward the reclassification of pharmacy technicians, consistent with developments affecting other healthcare professionals.
On behalf of the graduating class, Meshach Gbollie, President of the graduating class, encouraged his colleagues to use their newly acquired knowledge and professional responsibilities to serve the public and act as responsible gatekeepers of medicines.
He urged pharmacy technicians to ensure that medicines are properly preserved, handled, managed, and dispensed in accordance with professional standards.
Gbollie also called for the Government to reclassify pharmacy technicians and create stronger opportunities for their professional advancement and continuing development in an increasingly evolving global health sector.
The LMHRA reaffirmed its commitment to working with academic institutions, healthcare professionals, regulatory stakeholders, and development partners to strengthen Liberia’s medicines regulatory system and advance a safer, more effective, accountable, and quality-driven healthcare environment for all Liberians.
