MOGADISHU — Lawmakers in the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia have approved the Medicine Bill, marking a significant step toward regulating pharmaceuticals and strengthening public health oversight in the country.
The legislation was passed on Saturday during the House of the People’s 25th sitting of its seventh session. A total of 141 members voted in favor of the bill, one lawmaker abstained, and none opposed it. Parliamentary officials said 142 MPs were present, meeting the quorum required for a final vote.
The session was chaired by First Deputy Speaker Saadiya Yasin Haji Samatar and focused on the bill’s third reading and adoption. The draft law was prepared by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and reviewed by the House’s Social Service Development Committee, which presented the final version to lawmakers ahead of the vote.
Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Aden welcomed the bill’s passage, thanking parliament for approving the legislation at what he described as a critical time for Somalia’s health system. Nadra Salah Abdi, chairperson of the Social Service Development Committee, said the law would enhance oversight of medicines and help protect the public from unsafe or counterfeit drugs.
Somalia’s pharmaceutical sector has faced longstanding challenges, including weak regulation and the circulation of unlicensed and substandard medicines. Lawmakers said the new legislation is intended to address those gaps and improve patient safety nationwide.
During the same sitting, parliament also held a separate discussion on the Convention on Tobacco Control, with members highlighting the health and social impact of tobacco use and calling for a unified national policy to reduce consumption, particularly among young people.
The approval of the Medicine Bill reflects increased parliamentary focus on health legislation as Somalia continues efforts to rebuild state institutions and improve access to essential public services.
