The Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) has confiscated a consignment of “unregistered medicines” valued at approximately L$2.2 million.
The incident occurred at the Liberia/Guinea Mendicorma Border in collaboration with joint security forces, and the County Pharmacist of Lofa County.
The consignment, which originated from neighboring Sierra Leone, comprised 44 cartons of “Reality Extra D” (Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg) pharmaceutical.
The seizure, according to a release, was carried out by the LMHRA Region-2 team in coordination with border security personnel, and county health authorities.
Manager of LMHRA Region-2, Dr. Andrew Keagon, the confiscation demonstrates the Authority’s continued vigilance, and commitment to protect the Liberian public from unauthorized, and potentially “unsafe medicines.”
Dr. Keagon: “This confiscation is a clear demonstration of LMHRA’s vigilance, and determination to protect the health of Liberians, and its foreign residents. We will continue to strengthen our surveillance systems, and work closely with border security, and other relevant authorities to ensure that only quality-assured medicines enter, and circulate in the market.”
Diclofenac Sodium is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. However, like all medicines, it must meet established regulatory requirements to ensure its quality, safety, efficacy, and proper use.
The circulation of unregistered medicines undermines the pharmaceutical regulatory system, and may expose consumers to products of unknown quality, safety, or effectiveness.
LMHRA management, meanwhile, commended the joint security forces at the Mendicorma Border, and the Lofa County Pharmacist for their critical role in the seizure. The successful operation underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration to strengthen border surveillance, and prevent the illegal entry of unauthorized medical products.
The Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to intensify surveillance, inspection, and enforcement activities, particularly at major border entry points.
These efforts form parts of LMHRA’s mandate to regulate, and control the manufacture, importation, distribution, and use of medicines, and health products.
The Mendicorma seizure is the latest in a series of enforcement actions the Authority has undertaken to address the circulation of adulterated, substandard, falsified, and unregistered medicines.
In May 2026, the LMHRA Region-2 team also conducted extensive inspection, and enforcement operations in Bong County, which resulted in the confiscation of counterfeit, adulterated, and substandard medicines with an estimated market value of approximately L$400,000.
The LMHRA has urged members of the public, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical businesses, and other stakeholders to support its regulatory efforts by reporting suspected illegal, or suspicious medicines, and ensure that medicines, and health products are purchased only from licensed, and authorized sources.
LMHRA is the statutory body mandated to regulate, inspect, and control manufacturing, importation, distribution, and use of medicines, and health products.
The Authority works to ensure that medicines, and health products available meet established standards of quality, safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance, thereby protecting, and promoting public health.
