Lower House Passes Landmark Medicines Bill to Regulate Drug Quality

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia on Tuesday approved a key Medicines Bill during a session held in Mogadishu. The draft law had been submitted earlier by the Ministry of Health and Social Care.

Lawmakers passed the bill by an overwhelming show of hands, endorsing legislation aimed at regulating the quality of medicines imported into the country as well as those sold locally. The law seeks to protect public health by preventing the circulation of substandard, counterfeit, or expired drugs.

The passage of the bill is being viewed as a major step forward, as it grants the government stronger authority to oversee health facilities and pharmaceutical suppliers. The sector has long been criticised for weak regulation and limited oversight, raising concerns about patient safety and the overall integrity of medical services in the country.