A thorough investigation by this paper has uncovered a classified report implicating G2 Pharmacy in the importation of counterfeit drugs, including a batch of Bupivacaine linked to the death of a 16-year-old boy.
According to sources, G2 Pharmacy’s Managing Director, Mr. Jitendra Kumar, allegedly took steps to suppress the report’s release.
The teenager was admitted to Catholic Hospital on January 2, 2025, for a routine hernia surgery.
Tragically, he died the following morning shortly after receiving a spinal injection of Bupivacaine (Marcaine Spinal Heavy 0.5%).
A confidential investigation conducted by the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) found that the drug lacked essential safety identifiers such as a batch number, expiration date, and English labeling-blatant violations of national pharmaceutical standards.
Even more concerning, the product had entered Liberia through a “special permit” issued by LMHRA itself, allowing it to bypass critical safety and quality control procedures.
The drug’s packaging, printed entirely in Dutch, provided no information about its manufacturer or shelf life. LMHRA investigators concluded that these regulatory lapses directly contributed to the boy’s death.
Hospital Accused of Obstruction:
When LMHRA inspectors attempted to investigate the incident, Catholic Hospital reportedly denied them access-an act that violates national health compliance laws.
This obstruction, investigators say, delayed their ability to collect timely evidence and assess the conditions under which the fatal reaction occurred.
“This was not merely a medical mishap, it was a systemic regulatory collapse,” a senior LMHRA official told this paper under condition of anonymity.
Mounting Pressure on G2 Pharmacy:
Public outrage has intensified in the wake of the report. Healthcare professionals, civil society advocates, and ordinary citizens are calling for the immediate closure of G2 Pharmacy and a full recall of all questionable products.
“It is unthinkable that a pharmacy could import such drugs without proper documentation or labeling and still operate freely,” said a prominent health sector advocate. “One life lost is one too many. G2 Pharmacy must be held accountable and unsafe medications must be pulled from circulation.”
LMHRA Leadership under Scrutiny:
The scandal has exposed a growing crisis within LMHRA’s leadership.
Managing Director Luke L. Bawo is now under fire following an internal report by the agency’s Board of Directors accusing him of gross mismanagement and regulatory negligence.
Key accusations include:
Hiring 19 friends and associates into senior positions with inflated salaries;
Purchasing luxury vehicles for allies while inspection teams lack basic field resources;
Attempting to unlawfully amend the LMHRA Act to extend his term;
Failing to address a pharmaceutical market believed to be saturated with up to 70% substandard or counterfeit drugs.
The Board contends that Bawo’s actions directly conflict with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s national healthcare reform goals outlined earlier this year.
Final Hours of the Patient:
Medical records and LMHRA findings reveal that the teenager had been diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia along with minor conditions including a urinary tract infection and genital herpes.
On January 3 at 10:20 a.m., 2.5ml of the suspect Bupivacaine was administered.
Within minutes, the boy exhibited severe reactions-itching, swelling, convulsions, and respiratory distress.
Despite emergency intervention using hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, promethazine, phenobarbital, and adrenaline, he could not be revived.
Key Findings and Recommendations:
Led by Dr. Margaret T. Massaquoi, the LMHRA investigative team determined that the unregulated Bupivacaine was the direct cause of death.
Their report is however, recommending immediate recall and quarantine of the affected Bupivacaine batches, nationwide surveillance to remove unapproved drugs from the market and mandatory training for health workers on adverse drug reaction (ADR) identification and reporting.
The report also recommends sanctions against G2 Pharmacy and a formal investigation into Catholic Hospital’s refusal to cooperate with regulatory authorities.
Leaked portions of the document further urge President Boakai to intervene immediately.
Demands include:
Revocation of G2 Pharmacy’s operating license,
Suspension or replacement of LMHRA’s Managing Director and a fully independent investigation into the influx of unsafe medicines into Liberia.
When contacted via WhatsApp, Dr. James Goteh, a department head at G2 Pharmacy, acknowledged awareness of the situation but declined to comment, stating he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the company.
He promised to connect this paper with the pharmacy’s communications department on Friday, July 25, 2025, during working hours.
This paper also made efforts to reach to the LMHRA Managing Director Luke L. Bawo but all efforts failed.
