A Policy Analysis of Sustainable Development and Pharmaceutical Security in Sierra Leone, 2016

Sustainable development in Sierra Leone is intrinsically linked to a secure pharmaceutical supply. The availability, affordability, and quality of medicines are fundamental to health-related development goals, yet systemic vulnerabilities within the medicine supply chain present a persistent challenge. This policy analysis aims to examine the coherence and implementation of Sierra Leone’s national policies concerning sustainable development and pharmaceutical security. It seeks to identify key policy instruments, assess their alignment with sustainable development principles, and evaluate the barriers to achieving a resilient medicine supply system. A qualitative policy analysis was conducted using a document review framework. National policy documents, strategic plans, and legislative acts were systematically identified and analysed. The analysis focused on thematic content related to medicine supply, health system resilience, and sustainable development indicators. The analysis identified a significant gap between high-level sustainable development commitments and operational plans for pharmaceutical security. A central finding was the heavy reliance on imported medicines, which undermines supply chain resilience. While policy documents emphasised access, they lacked concrete strategies for promoting local production, establishing sustainable financing, or integrating robust quality assurance. Current policy frameworks in Sierra Leone do not sufficiently integrate pharmaceutical security as a core component of sustainable development. This disconnect poses a substantial risk to public health and long-term socio-economic stability. Strengthening this link is imperative for building a health system resilient to future shocks. Policymakers should develop an integrated national strategy for pharmaceutical security aligned with sustainable development goals. Priorities should include creating incentives for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, establishing sustainable financing mechanisms for essential medicines, and strengthening regulatory capacity for quality surveillance. policy analysis, pharmaceutical security, sustainable development, health systems, Sierra Leone, medicine supply chain This analysis provides a critical examination of the policy disconnect between sustainable development aims and pharmaceutical security in Sierra Leone. It offers evidence to inform the development of more coherent and resilient national health and development strategies.