This week (7th – 11th October 2019) NDA held an enforcement operation to clear the Eastern region of drug outlets that were not complying with licensing requirements.
The operation covered 16 Districts namely; Ngora, Serere, Soroti, Kumi, Bukedea, Budaka, Butaleja, Butebo, Kibuku, Palisa, Tororo, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Kalaki, Amuria and Busia.
The ongoing operation in the Region, lead to inspection of 415 drug outlets. Closure of 197 drug shops, 304 boxes of assorted medicine impounded, estimated at Ushs. 106,400,000.
However, incidences of private units selling government of Uganda drugs drastically reduced, as only 5 facilities were discovered.
The following were the observations experienced during the operation:
This operation follows one conducted in March 2019 in the region in 5 major shift markets operating in 4 districts (Bukedea, Soroti, Bulambuli, and Serere), where 31 boxes of assorted medicines were impounded and 19 hawkers of medicines (suspects) apprehended with ongoing cases in courts. We have so far secured three convictions and 13 ongoing cases in various courts in the region.
However, absenteeism of drug outlet supervisors leaving businesses to be operated by unqualified personnel is still a major challenge. Medicines in the hands of unqualified persons expose the population in Region and entire country to wrong prescription, drug resistance, income, and other health related risks or complications including death.
The population ganging up with illegal operators and hindering NDA Inspectors from doing their noble duty. This happened in Iki-Iki-Budaka and Apapai – Kalaki districts where our officers were rounded up the impounded drugs taken by the population.
NDA shall work closely with district leaders to mitigate hawking of medicine in shift markets and unqualified persons manning drug outlets.
Safe drugs, save lives
