National Drug Authority Headquarters Kampala.Internet Photo

Pharmacy owners have asked parliament to audit the National Drug Authority activities and operations for allowing the existence of illegal and unlicensed drug shops.  as they give the health committee of parliament a report showing rot in this Authority.0

While appearing before the health committee of parliament were they handed in a report showing rot in the authority, the group led by the legal secretary of the pharmacy Owners Association of Uganda, Deo Kalikumutima, accused NDA of allowing the illegal and unlicensed drug shops  existence in less than 1.5 km from existing pharmacies contrary to regulations set out by the National Drug Authority for drug shops.

The group gave out to the committee chaired by Bukuya County MP, Dr. Micheal Bukenya, a list of five drug shops  operating within illegal locations next to pharmacies which include St. Joseph drug shop in Kyebando, St.Jude drug shop in Ssonde, Grace drug shop, Zebra drug shops in Luwero, Kikyusa and J-stone  drug shop in Wobulenzi .

They claimed that some of the drug shops sell drugs of class A which is meant for  pharmacies yet these drug shop owners are not trained and do not possess licenses that allow them to give  such drugs to patients or clients.

Pharmacy owners also accused the Board chairman of the National Drug Authority, Dr.Merdad Bikyeterezo, of owning a medical center in Mbarara which has illegal drug outlets in contravention of section 7(2) of the National Drug Authority licensing guidelines for new pharmacies.

They also submitted to the committee a list of nine medical centers operating illegal pharmacies which include ; Doctor’s clinic Entebbe, SAS Clinic Entebbe road, Mbarara medical specialist clinics, Le memorial medical services,Victoria medical services at Julia sebutinde road, International medical centre,  Uganda medical centre Entebbe branch, St.Bendict hospital, Kampala Medical Chambers and Benedicts medical centre in Luzira which they accused of smuggling drugs from Italy.

They also blamed the National Drug Authority for levying high taxes on drugs in terms of verification fees that has led to high cost of medicines but also created over dependence by NDA on fees paid by Pharmacy owners.

The legal secretary to the Authority, Deo Kalikumutima said that they are concerned about funds collected by NDA and  used on wasteful expenditure in office construction estimated at 27 billion shillings, rent of office space at a cost of 617 million per year yet it abandoned its offices and  planned construction of another laboratory.

He said that parliament should stop  the  National Drug Authority from banning the new pharmacies in Kampala and other urban centers saying that there is still need for more pharmacies in town areas since one pharmacy can apparently serves about 1000 people.

He added that the NDA should make foreign investors set up pharmacies in villages since for they can raise the required capital to do so.

The committee chairperson, Dr.Micheal Bukenya  scheduled a meeting with NDA officials on Wednesday this week  to respond on the issues raised by the Pharmacy owners.

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Sematiko Gordon Katende

He says this is in a bid to scrutinize local medicines available on the local market.

According to Sematiko, herbs which pass the test and meet the standards will be certified to be sold on the local market.

 Authorities at the enforcement agency say most of the local herbs sold don’t provide treatment to diseases they are advertise for.

Sematiko also says that they are to be tough on drug safety across all entry points into Uganda, following reports that some people smuggle in drugs through their bags when entering the country.

Ultimate Media

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He made the remarks after the ministry of health reported that 70% of the private health units in Kampala operate illegally and do not have qualified personnel.

Ekau said that most of unlicensed drug shops and clinics relabel expired drugs and sell it to the patients and cause damage to the people’s health.

He said that if such people dealing in expired drugs are netted, they should be delayed in jail to serve as lesson to others who have the save illegal practice.

He revealed that the National Drug Authority together with the ministry of heath will soon carryout operation against operating private health units in Wakiso Mukono districts.

By Isaac Senabulya

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