Freetown, 18th December – The Ministry of Health has announced that the importation, possession and use of tramadol tablets in Sierra Leone is now illegal, following growing concerns about widespread misuse and its impact on public health and safety.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s conference room on the 4th floor of Youyi Building in Freetown, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, said the government had taken decisive action to curb the abuse of the drug.
Under the new directive, only Tramadol 50 mg capsules are permitted for oral use. Only Tramadol 50 mg/mL injectable formulations are permitted, and these may be used exclusively in recognized health facilities under professional supervision. Any tramadol product outside these limits is illegal and subject to seizure.
“Only 50 milligram capsules and injectable forms of tramadol are allowed in-country, and only within a hospital environment; anything outside of that is illegal,” Dr. Demby emphasized.
The decision, issued under Section 29(1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, 2001, follows technical recommendations from the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone. Officials say the move is aimed at protecting communities, particularly young people, from the dangers of high-dose tramadol.
Government evidence links misuse of the drug to addiction, road traffic accidents, violent behaviour, seizures, overdoses, and preventable deaths. Many of the high-strength tramadol products circulating in communities, Dr. Demby noted, “have no legitimate role in standard medical care.”
The ban is expected to be enforced immediately, with health authorities and law enforcement agencies working together to seize illegal supplies and ensure compliance.
