In a significant step toward strengthening public health and pharmaceutical safety, the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kulinda Liberia Inc., a company specializing in digital solutions to combat counterfeiting, smuggling, diversion, and trademark infringement.
The MoU, signed at LMHRA headquarters in Monrovia, sets the foundation for the launch of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Protection Program (LMHPPP)—a national initiative aimed at enhancing medicine safety and supply chain transparency through advanced digital technology.
Under the agreement, Kulinda Liberia Inc. will provide a robust digital verification system to monitor all imported medicines, enabling real-time tracking and helping to prevent the circulation of substandard or falsified products. LMHRA will oversee regulatory compliance, data integrity, and public engagement to ensure the program’s success.
Strengthening Health Systems Through Innovation
Speaking at the signing ceremony, LMHRA Managing Director Dr. Luke L. Bawo emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging innovation to protect public health.
“This partnership reflects our strategic vision to improve medicine safety and empower consumers through modern technology,” said Dr. Bawo. “The LMHPPP will enhance regulatory oversight and help create a more secure pharmaceutical environment for Liberia.”
He added that the program aligns with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), and is targeting a 40% improvement in medicine safety by integrating automation and digital tools.
The LMHPPP is expected to officially launch later this year, followed by a comprehensive public awareness campaign. This will allow manufacturers, importers, and stakeholders sufficient time to transition to the new system before full implementation.
A Milestone in Health Security
In her opening remarks, LMHRA Deputy Managing Director Dr. Patricia Quaye-Freeman described the initiative as a milestone in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to build a safer, more accountable healthcare system.
She noted that the partnership with Kulinda will:
Strengthen regulatory capacity
Increase vigilance against unauthorized or unregistered medicines
Improve public ability to verify the authenticity of medical products
“Automating the registration and verification process doesn’t alter the quality of the medicines themselves,” she explained. “It ensures consumers can identify which products are legitimate.”
A User-Friendly, Mobile-Driven System
Kulinda Liberia Inc. CEO Jefferson Krua introduced the technology behind the LMHPPP, describing it as a user-friendly, mobile-enabled digital verification platform.
Consumers and regulators will be able to verify the authenticity and registration status of medicines instantly by scanning QR codes or entering product details via mobile devices. The system is designed to build public trust, support safe healthcare decisions, and prevent health risks caused by counterfeit medicines.
Kulinda will provide the required infrastructure and technical support, while LMHRA will take the lead on regulatory enforcement and public education.
Implementation and Compliance Timeline
The program includes a multi-phase rollout:
Initial public awareness and stakeholder engagement in late 2025
Staff training and stakeholder adaptation early 2026 Mandatory compliance and enforcement measures beginning July 2026, nine months after the official launch Outreach will include radio jingles, social media campaigns, town hall meetings, and collaboration with health stakeholders—including the Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy Board, NGOs, importers, hospitals, pharmacies, and legislative committees—with particular emphasis on rural inclusion.
