South Sudan’s health ministry launched the Drug and Food Control Authority (DFCA) Monday to regulate importation of essential items.

The country depends on goods brought from neighboring countries, but few shipments are independently tested for safety.

“Each of us are subjected to uses of medicines but the medicines we are taking are not sure whether medicines are the real medicines or not,” said health minister Riek Gai at the opening ceremony. “But today we have got the DFCA that will regulate the system.”

Gai said the ministry will make sure of the safety of drugs and foods imported for consumption.

Vice president James Wani Igga also attended the ceremony.

“Now, it is your responsibilities to operate within the law to ensure that our people are protect because our people have suffered for long time for using non-examined drugs and foods being imported into the country,” he said.

File photo: Riek Gai

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