Liberia LMDC: Pushes Traditional Medicine Regulation, Claims Oversight

• The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) is advocating for stronger regulation and monitoring of traditional medicine practices.
• LMDC Registrar General Dr. Augustus Garlet Quiah emphasized the need for clear policies to prevent practitioners from making 'cure-all' claims.
• The initiative aims to safely integrate traditional medicine into Liberia's healthcare system while prioritizing public safety and evidence-based practices.
• Local authorities have pledged increased monitoring of traditional medicine practitioners, especially those advertising unsubstantiated 'cure-all' claims on public platforms.
• The celebration also included the launch of the Nimba Medicinal Plants Garden and the certification of traditional healthcare providers.

The LMDC has explicitly stated that such widespread 'cure-all' claims in Liberia necessitate stringent oversight and regulation.

The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) has initiated a significant push for enhanced regulatory, research, and monitoring frameworks concerning traditional medicine practices within Liberia. This call aims to ensure the safe and effective integration of these practices into the nation's broader healthcare system. Dr. Augustus Garlet Quiah, serving as the LMDC Registrar General, articulated this imperative on behalf of Council Chairperson Dr. Ayun K. Cassell III and other council members.

This declaration was made during the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day celebration, an event held in Sanniquellie, Nimba County. The gathering, themed “Reflection on Research and Development Efforts of Traditional Medicine towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Liberia,” convened a diverse group of participants, including both traditional and conventional healthcare practitioners, government bodies, researchers, community leaders, and various health-related organizations. Dr. Quiah underscored the necessity of sustained investment in research, policy development, capacity building, and robust monitoring to guarantee that traditional medicine practices are conducted safely, responsibly, and are appropriately incorporated into Liberia's healthcare system.

A central concern highlighted by the LMDC involves the need for clear policy and regulatory structures to guide and oversee traditional healthcare practices. Specifically, Dr. Quiah emphasized the importance of establishing appropriate treatment limits and preventing practitioners from making sweeping claims that their remedies can cure all diseases and medical conditions. He asserted that effective regulation would also foster stronger collaboration among government institutions, academic and scientific researchers, conventional healthcare providers, and traditional medicine practitioners, ultimately creating a more inclusive and resilient Liberia healthcare system.

The LMDC Registrar General acknowledged the enduring and vital role that traditional medicine plays across Liberia, particularly within rural and underserved communities where access to conventional healthcare services remains limited. While affirming conventional medicine as a cornerstone of Liberia’s national health system, Dr. Quiah also stressed that the potential contributions of traditional medicine toward achieving Universal Health Coverage should be duly recognized. This recognition, however, must be coupled with rigorous safeguards.

He cautioned that any efforts to promote traditional medicine must be underpinned by scientific research, evidence-based practices, professional capacity building, continuous monitoring, and appropriate regulation. These measures are critical for protecting patients and the wider public from unsubstantiated claims or unsafe practices. The Ministry of Health, through its Division of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, organized the celebration, drawing participation from key regulatory bodies such as the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) and the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), alongside the West African Health Organization (WAHO), the Ministry of Local Government, and various traditional medicine associations including the Traditional Medicine Association of Nimba and the Liberia Traditional Medicine Federation (LIMEF).

In a tangible step towards implementing these regulatory ambitions, local authorities have committed to intensifying their monitoring of traditional medicine practitioners. This heightened scrutiny will particularly target those who utilize public platforms, such as radio stations, to advertise remedies while asserting that their products can cure all diseases and medical conditions. The LMDC has explicitly stated that such widespread 'cure-all' claims in Liberia necessitate stringent oversight and regulation.

As part of the broader initiative during the celebration, the Nimba Medicinal Plants Garden was officially launched. This new endeavor aims to underscore the importance of medicinal plants and to safeguard traditional healthcare knowledge for future generations. Additionally, traditional healthcare providers received certification in recognition of their valuable contributions to healthcare delivery through traditional medicine, signaling a dual approach of both regulation and recognition within the evolving Liberia traditional medicine policy landscape.

Lawyers advising traditional medicine practitioners or companies marketing related products in Liberia should anticipate new regulations and stricter enforcement regarding product claims, especially 'cure-all' assertions, to ensure compliance with evolving healthcare policy and avoid potential penalties.

Source: Original reporting via local Liberian news outlets