Sarah Opendi, State Minister In-Charge of Primary Health Care.

In a bid to promote local pharmaceuticals from imported drugs, the government of Uganda through the health ministry yesterday announced a 10% increase from 2% to now 12% on the verification fees charged on imported drugs.

Addressing a news conference on Monday  in Kampala, the State Minister for Health In-Charge of General Duties, Sarah Opendi, said  Uganda has been importing 37 drugs which are also locally manufactured by drug companies here and that this has made it very difficult for the local companies to thrive hence the increment in the levies.

Among the drugs affected by the new guideline, include; Amoxline, Albendazole, Dextrose, Paracentamole, Orals among others with the selection made following the ministry of health and National Drug Authority’s (NDA) assessment of domestic manufacturers’ capacity to sufficiently meet the demands for the 37 selected medicines.

However, the Executive Director, NDA Dr. Donna Kusemererwa, says that the new guideline will see the country’s health sector increase procurement of locally manufactured drugs from 20% to over 83% annually.

Government has also assured the general public to fully trust the locally manufactured drugs saying they also provide the same treatment just like those imported from India, Germany, UK and the USA.

Skeptics have however, questioned the manner quality will be assured in addition to pricing of the drugs.

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However, the local leaders in Wakiso district are opposed to the move which they say will greatly affect health service delivery.

The group led by Wakiso district chairman had insisted on staging a peaceful demonstration to draw government’s attention to the matter, but they have been dispersed by police at Leisure park in Kitoro.

Earilier the police commanded by the Regional Police Commander Kampala South Micheal Mugabi  advised organisers of a demonstration asking them to postpone the event to a date after November 2.

The police said the protest would clash with National Water and Sewerage Corporation activities to mark 40 years of service.

They have now arrested the leaders of the group who include the Wakiso district Chairman Lwanga Bwanika.

The hospital, which borders State House Entebbe gate, however remains open to the public with business going on normally.  Calm is slowly returning to the town.

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