INNOVARX Health Global Faces Closure Over Noncompliance with Medicines Control Agency
By Mariama Dem
In an unexpected turn of events, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has ordered the closure of INNOVARX Health Global, effective February 2nd, 2024, citing serious noncompliance with legal provisions. This decision comes after the MCA’s inspection on February 1, 2024, during which significant violations were uncovered.
Dr. Ismail D. Badgie, the Chief Executive Officer of INNOVARX, allegedly obstructed MCA inspectors from performing their duties, leading to the company’s closure.
Founded in 2019 with a vision to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone in The Gambia, INNOVARX Health Global has been providing healthcare services until its recent setback.
According to the MCA, the inspection revealed that Dr. Badgie obstructed inspectors and refused to cooperate. The agency alleges that many of the medicines, claimed by INNOVARX to be manufactured in the US, were actually produced in India, China, and Taiwan. These untested medicines pose potential dangers to consumers.
Following the inspection, Dr. Badgie reportedly resisted the confiscation of unregistered and illegally imported medicines. The MCA asserts that the medicines had not received approval and were imported without proper authorization.
The MCA accuses Dr. Badgie of illegally advertising medicines without agency approval, despite previous warnings. The agency also discovered expired medicines on the shelves within the dispensary at INNOVARX.
Public safety concerns led to the closure of INNOVARX and the seizure of medicines. The MCA advises the public against seeking medical services from INNOVARX until further notice.
INNOVARX, in response, released a statement acknowledging the importance of compliance with legal provisions for the safety and efficacy of medicines. The company expressed concern over what they deemed “misleading and defamatory allegations” and claimed cooperation with MCA inspectors.
The closure, according to INNOVARX, is attributed to technicalities arising from recent amendments to documentation requirements rather than quality issues. They emphasise the full digitisation of their operations, designed to enhance patient safety, and express readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with the MCA and other authorities to resolve the situation.