Published: August 1, 2025
MONROVIA – G-2 Pharmacy has strongly objected to a purported resolution by the Board of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) indefinitely suspending its import license, describing the move as “procedurally flawed, legally unsupported, and reputationally damaging.”
In a formal letter addressed to LMHRA Board Chairman Dr. David Sumo, G-2 Pharmacy, through its legal counsel, said the Board’s action contradicts a prior ruling by the LMHRA Hearing Board, which concluded its investigation into the matter on May 16, 2025. That ruling imposed a $1,500 fine for importing a spinal anesthesia drug with non-English labeling—a fine that G-2 Pharmacy says it has already paid in full, thus closing the case.
“The subsequent issuance of a resolution imposing additional sanctions, without further investigation or hearing, constitutes administrative overreach and violates principles of fairness and finality,” the pharmacy argued.
The contested resolution reportedly links G-2 Pharmacy’s imported drug—Bupivacaine 0.5% spinal injection—to the January 2025 death of 16-year-old Isaiah Williams at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital. However, G-2 maintains that the Board’s claims are neither factually nor scientifically substantiated.
The communication questions the legality of the Board’s authority in the matter, pointing to Part IV, Sections 2.1 and 5, Paragraph 3(c) of the LMHRA Act, which it says gives explicit authority over licensing decisions to the Managing Director, not the Board. “We maintain that you acted without any authority pursuant to the LMHRA Act quoted supra,” G-2 wrote.
The pharmacy further criticized the resolution for what it called “vague and unsubstantiated accusations” and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The company also called for a public clarification to rectify what it describes as reputational harm caused by the circulation of the suspension notice in the media and professional circles.
Adding to G-2’s concerns is the procedural integrity of the suspension notice itself. The document lacks an LMHRA letterhead and bears only six signatures out of the eleven-member board, raising questions about its validity.
Background to the Controversy
In January 2025, Isaiah Williams died following a medical procedure at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital. The LMHRA later confirmed that six different medications, including Marcaine® Spinal Heavy (Bupivacaine 0.5%), were used in the procedure. The authority found that all the drugs met regulatory requirements except for the Bupivacaine injection, which violated national medicine labeling standards by not being printed in English.
While the LMHRA could not conclusively link the death to that specific drug, it imposed a fine on G-2 Pharmacy after finding 24 additional packs of the foreign-labeled product during an inspection of the hospital pharmacy.
Initially, the LMHRA Hearing Board levied a $10,000 fine against the pharmacy, but that amount was later reduced to $1,500 after a management review. G-2 paid the fine, and no further disciplinary action was announced at the time.
Separately, a comprehensive investigation by the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) found Catholic Hospital culpable in the teenager’s death due to what it called “clinical negligence and procedural failures.” The LMDC disciplinary action included suspensions and permanent license revocations for several members of the hospital’s staff.
Regulatory Implications
Following public concerns about the tragedy and regulatory response, the LMHRA’s Board of Directors issued a broader directive, including:
- Nationwide post-market surveillance to remove all Bupivacaine spinal injections from circulation.
- Refresher training for healthcare workers reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).
- Development of procedures for the limited importation of orphan drugs.
- A public awareness campaign about ADRs.
Despite these efforts, the LMHRA has faced criticism for its public handling of the matter. G-2 Pharmacy argues that any further action against it—particularly license suspension—must be rooted in transparent, evidence-based procedures and not speculation or what it calls “media broadcasts.”
“The LMHRA remains committed to protecting the health of the Liberian population,” the agency said in its latest public statement, affirming its role in regulating the safety and quality of health products nationwide.
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