In a dramatic turn of event, the NMSA has responsibly reacted to a story in our Monday 26 May, 2025 edition captioned “NMSA MD, Board Flout Administrative Procedures,” insisting it was incorrect.

First of all, the Agency considered the caption “NMSA MD, Board Flout Administrative Procedures” as misleading and a blatant misrepresentation of the Agency’s image.

The accusation of the Managing Director Madam Jatu Abdulai to have convinced the Board of Directors to bring the Chief Pharmacist of the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services to act in her capacity while on leave which the Newspaper had referred to as “flouting administrative procedures,” was vehemently denied by the Agency.

“Let it be made abundantly clear that the above accusations are full of inaccuracies,” the Agency insists.

They explained that the Chief Pharmacist and Director of Pharmaceutical Services, as head of the pharmaceutical sector in SL and Chief advisor to the MOH on all matters re: pharmaceuticals in the country, was requested to oversee the operations of the agency while the MD was away on official leave, arguing that it’s by no means to act as MD but rather to provide support.

They furthered that while the Chief Pharmacist was until recently the Deputy Managing Director of NMSA, the Board did its due diligence in considering and approving the recommendations.

“The CP/DPS is not an Acting MD,” they further stressed, noting also that the agency has not had a Deputy MD since June 2023.

NMSA said following Madam Abdulai’s official appointment to the role in May 2024 as the MD, she was fully supported through her transition by the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, including but not limited to the assignment of a Principal Pharmacist to support NMSA with the operational activities of the agency.

The Agency also debunked the allegation that the Managing Director and the Board appointed a Director of Operations from outside the Agency, insisting it is also untrue.

“The position of Director of Operations remains vacant with a recruitment process currently underway and at an advanced stage. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will commence shortly.

There is currently no vacuum in the operations of the Agency as the article claims. While the Managing Director is on leave, the directors are at liberty to carry on the activities of the agency working with the supervision of the board chairman. The Chief Pharmacist will also oversee their activities and help troubleshoot any challenges that require support,” the Agency further elaborates.