MoHW’s Chief Drug Inspector has resigned. Why? 

News Five has confirmed that Dr. Chrystal Samouge has resigned from her post as the Chief Drug Inspector for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard told News Five via WhatsApp, “Dr. Samouge, who is the Drug Inspectorate, resigned to go work in the private sector.” While that is the ministry’s official position, sources tell News Five that there are other reasons that led Dr. Samouge to resign.

Rumours of her resignation began to spread last week.

Dr. Samouge was appointed to the position under the current government.

The chief drug inspector post is crucial, and the person leads the drug inspectorate unit. This unit is responsible for regulating medication and medical supplies nationwide. According to the ministry’s website, “The unit performs many regulatory functions, including marketing authorisation of pharmaceutical products through drug registration, and performs post-marketing activities to monitor the safety of pharmaceuticals once they have reached the market. It monitors the market for any substandard and falsified drugs and performs seizures and destruction of such products or drugs sold on unauthorised premises. The Drug Inspectorate unit works closely with the Licensing and Accreditation Unit and the Pharmacy Unit and is charged with the responsibility of inspection activities for the purpose of licensing pharmaceutical establishments. It constantly monitors various establishments and businesses to ensure compliance with the appropriate laws and regulations.”

Minister Bernard added, “With respect to the drug inspectorate unit, in the next month or 2 we should be able to promote. In the meantime Miss Waight will be holding responsibilities.”

Story was updated 5:04 p.m. local time.