IPNEWS: In a major step toward enhancing health security, the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Kulinda Liberia Inc., “a leading provider of innovative solutions to combat counterfeiting, smuggling, diversion, and trademark infringement.”
The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at LMHRA headquarters in Monrovia, laying the groundwork for the launch of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Protection Program (LMHPPP).
The MoU aims to strengthen the country’s ability to track and trace medical products throughout the supply chain, a critical move to combat the spread of substandard and falsified medicines.
According to the MOU Kulinda Liberia Inc. will provide cutting-edge digital verification tools designed to monitor all imported medicines, fostering a safer and more transparent pharmaceutical environment.
During the signing ceremony, LMHRA Managing Director Dr. Luke L. Bawo emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating that it demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through innovative technology.
He highlighted that the LMHPP will empower consumers, bolster regulatory oversight, and pave the way for a safer medicine landscape in Liberia. The program aligns with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), targeting a baseline of 40% improvement in medicine safety through advanced automation and technology deployment.
Dr. Bawo announced that the official launch of LMHPPP is scheduled for later this year, accompanied by a broad public awareness campaign to ensure a smooth transition for existing products in circulation.
This will give manufacturers, importers, and stakeholders ample time to adapt to the new system before full implementation.
Making the welcoming remark, LMHRA’s Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Patricia Quaye-Freeman, underscored the importance of the partnership; making it as a milestone in Liberia’s health security journey.
She noted that working with Kulinda Liberia Inc. will enhance regulatory capacity, increase vigilance against unauthorized/unregistered medicines, and ultimately protect citizens from health risks. She also mentioned that automating the registration process will help the public identify legitimate medicines easily, noting that tracking and tracing do not affect medicine quality.
Kulinda Liberia Inc.’s CEO, Jefferson Krua, explained that the LMHPP features a user-friendly, digital verification system. Consumers and regulators can verify the authenticity and registration status of medicines instantly by scanning QR codes or entering product details via mobile devices. This initiative aims to boost public confidence and assist healthcare decision-making.
Kulina Liberia Inc. will provide the necessary technological infrastructure, while LMHRA will oversee compliance, data integrity, and public awareness. The partnership also plans to develop educational materials, hold meetings with health authorities and stakeholders—including the Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy Board, NGOs, importers, pharmacies, hospitals, and legislative committees—and carry out outreach activities like social media campaigns, radio jingles, and town hall meetings, especially in rural areas.
Training for staff and enforcement of regulatory standards will commence, with mandatory compliance and penalties beginning nine months after the program’s official launch in July 2026. Utilizing Kulinda’s expertise in real-time surveillance, data sharing, and authentication will improve traceability. Importantly, this initiative also aims to strengthen public trust through transparency and safety in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Both organizations expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, viewing it as a model for regional efforts in West Africa to incorporate technology-driven solutions for health challenges. The partnership underscores Liberia’s broader goal of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and protecting public health through innovative regulatory measures.
The LMHRA, Liberia’s national medicines regulator, is dedicated to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines and health products. Its activities include registration, licensing, inspection, pharmacovigilance, and promoting the safe use of medicines—work that is now set to be reinforced by this new digital anti-counterfeit initiative.
This partnership reaffirms LMHRA’s unwavering dedication to delivering safe, effective medicines to the people of Liberia, advancing the country’s health sector and setting a regional example for health security through technology.
