For many, RELIEF tablets whose immediate suspension - importation, distribution, and use – was announced on June 11, have long been a trusted medication for pain, be it the distressing discomfort of a headache or the monthly burden of menstrual cramps, among others. ALSO READ: Relief tablets suspended as Rwanda FDA flags unauthorized drug on market However, in a move that left regular users surprised and concerned, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) announced the suspension of all such tablets from importation, distribution, and use “until further notice”. The announcement stimulated confusion, especially among people who have trusted the medication for years. “I’ve been using RELIEF for quite some time, and it has been a game changer for me,” said Belise Miller Kaneza, a resident of Kicukiro District. “I was introduced to it by a friend who used it for menstrual cramps, and it worked so well.” Like Kaneza, others took to social media to express their concerns and seek answers. To clarify the decision, The New Times spoke to Lazare Ntirenganya, the Division Manager for Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Trials at Rwanda FDA. He explained that the suspension was triggered by a recent discovery during routine post-marketing surveillance. “Rwanda FDA ensures the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines through regulatory functions such as product registration, import control, inspections, and post-marketing surveillance,” Ntirenganya said. “During this surveillance, we identified unauthorised RELIEF tablets circulating in different districts across the country.” These tablets, he said, had not been legally imported or registered in Rwanda, raising red flags about their quality and safety. “Because these unauthorised tablets closely resembled the approved version, we had to take a precautionary measure by suspending the use of all RELIEF tablets while we continue to investigate,” he added. Responding to concerns about the timing of the decision given the product’s long presence on the market, Ntirenganya clarified that the unauthorised versions were only recently detected, and not believed to have been circulating for long. “Once we identified them, we acted immediately,” he stressed. “So far, there have been no reported adverse events, but since these versions weren’t subjected to proper safety and quality checks, we had to act to protect public health.” He reiterated Rwanda FDA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of all medicines on the market and urged pharmacies and wholesalers to fully comply with the suspension notice by immediately halting sales and quarantining existing stock. Additionally, the authority reminded all medical suppliers to strictly follow regulations: source only from authorised distributors, ensure proper registration of all imported medicines, and maintain clear product documentation for traceability. The public has also been strongly advised to stop using RELIEF tablets and report any suspected side effects or quality concerns to Rwanda FDA. “This suspension is a preventive step,” Ntirenganya emphasized. “We’re investigating the origin of these unauthorised tablets in collaboration with relevant authorities, and we will keep the public updated.”
