In response to a month-long investigation by Verity News into the alleged importation of counterfeit and unlabeled drugs by G2 Pharmacy, the House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to suspend all funding to the pharmacy, pending a legislative inquiry.
The directive, issued by the Office of the Chief Clerk on behalf of House Speaker Richard N. Koon, follows a formal resolution from the Board of Directors of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA).
The resolution accuses G2 Pharmacy of multiple violations of the LMHRA Act of 2010.
The House’s communication indicates that a full-scale investigation is underway to determine the extent of the alleged violations.
Central to the inquiry is the tragic death of a 16-year-old boy in January, reportedly linked to a batch of unregulated Bupivacaine administered during a routine hernia surgery.
Verity News first broke the story in February, revealing that the Bupivacaine injection lacked standard safety markings-including batch numbers, expiration dates, and English labeling.
The packaging, printed entirely in Dutch, raised red flags and violated national pharmaceutical standards.
The drug reportedly entered Liberia through a “special permit” issued by LMHRA, allowing it to bypass standard safety checks.
The investigation suggested that these regulatory failures directly contributed to the teenager’s death at Catholic Hospital.
Public and Political Outcry Intensifies
Since the story broke, pressure has mounted from civil society, healthcare professionals, and citizens demanding urgent action. Many have called for the closure of G2 Pharmacy and a nationwide recall of all unregulated medications.
“The House’s decision signals that the legislature is now taking the matter seriously,” said one health sector advocate. “This is about public safety and restoring confidence in our healthcare system.”
LMHRA Director Under Scrutiny
The scandal has also drawn attention to LMHRA’s leadership. Managing Director Luke L. Bawo is facing calls for suspension amid allegations of gross mismanagement, nepotism, and attempts to illegally extend his tenure.
A confidential board report obtained by Verity News outlines several serious claims, including:
Appointing 19 friends and associates to high-paying positions,
Purchasing luxury vehicles for allies while inspectors lack basic tools,
Failing to address widespread circulation of counterfeit drugs, estimated to make up 70% of the pharmaceutical market
Catholic Hospital Implicated
LMHRA’s investigation also found that Catholic Hospital obstructed its inspection team, delaying efforts to gather timely evidence after the incident. The hospital’s non-cooperation is likely to be included in the legislative probe.
Reform Recommendations
Dr. Margaret T. Massaquoi, who led the LMHRA investigation, recommended:
Immediate recall of all affected Bupivacaine batches,
Nationwide surveillance to remove unsafe drugs from circulation,
Mandatory training for health workers on identifying and reporting adverse drug reactions
Her team’s report also called for:
Revocation of G2 Pharmacy’s license,
Suspension or replacement of LMHRA’s current leadership,
A fully independent investigation into how substandard drugs are entering Liberia.
As the House’s investigation begins, the focus now shifts to the Ministry of Finance’s response to the funding freeze.
Speaker Koon’s directive underscores a growing desire for accountability in a scandal that has rocked the nation’s healthcare sector.
