Friecca pharmacy ordered closed

National Drug Authority (NDA) has directed popular city pharmacy, Friecca to halt operations to public and close premises.

In a notice to Friecca, NDA claim that the Wandegeya based pharmacy has been operating without a license.

“On April 19,2018, in exercise of its statutory mandate, National Drug Authority directed Friecca Pharmacy to halt its operations to public and close its premises,” the statement reads in part.

“Friecca Pharmacy located in Wandegeya, Kampala has been operating without a licence issued by the Authority, contrary to section 14 of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act 206 of the laws of Uganda. We wish to reassure the public that the pharmacy will open as soon as a 2018 licence is obtained,” the statement continues.

Pharmacists under their umbrella body, the Uganda Pharmacy Owners Association (UPOA) have recently blamed the National Drug Authority for selectively applying their mandate to favour pharmacies owned by officials in the Authority.

UPOA members led by their legal counsel Deo Kalikumutima accused NDA chairman, Dr.Medard Bitekyerezo of going after other pharmacies while that belonging to him and other officials continue operating illegally.

“NDA’s ban has only applied to stand alone pharmacies while hospitals have been allowed to open the same despite the ban. Medical centres including that owned by the NDA chairman, Dr.Medard Bitekyerezo continue to operate illegal drug outlets in contravention of the licensing guidelines for new pharmacies,” Kalikumutima said.

They also claimed a conflict of interest in the work of NDA since it is also undertaking business transactions with the same people it regulates, adding that they have lost confidence in its ability to remain impartial in regulation of drugs in the country.

UPOA also claimed that according to the NDA act, all drugs imported are required to be in the national formulary but noted that this is not available currently.