The National Drug Authority (NDA) has impounded drugs worth Shs 46 million from 22 drug outlets within Kampala Metropolitan area during an enforcement operation aimed at ensuring compliance and licensing guidelines.
The operation was part of NDA‘s routine operations intended to protect the population from substandard counterfeit, unauthorised drugs, unqualified persons and other unauthorised health care products on the market.
During the operation, 22 drug outlets were targeted of which 14 pharmacies, 4 clinics, three-drug shops, and two general merchandise shops were closed and drugs were impounded.
“118 boxes of assorted drugs were impounded from the closed pharmacies while 5 boxes were impounded from the clinics that were found selling medicines illegally. The total value of impounded drugs is estimated at over shs 46,500,000,” Samuel Kyomukama, the head of enforcement at NDA said in a statement.
He noted that working together with police, they arrested 17 individuals that were found working in the affected establishment.
Kyomukama said the culprits will be charged with different crimes such as operating a pharmacy without a license and unlawful possession of classified drugs.
The authority advised all the operators whose drug outlets have been closed and whose drugs have been impounded to report to their regional offices in Kampala for guidance.
NDA also noted with concern the issue of absentee qualified professionals which impact on the quality of service delivery, a key condition for licensing.
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