The National Drug Authority (NDA) has announced the closure of 900 illegal drug outlets in the Kampala Extra Region following a three-month compliance enforcement operation aimed at tackling unlicensed operators and substandard drug storage.
NDA Senior Inspector of Drugs, Akali Alfred, addressed the media, revealing that the operation targeted key suburbs, including Nansana, Kira, Makindye, Nakawa, Kawempe, Rubaga, Kyengera, Bweyogerere, Kajjansi, Kasangati, Entebbe, Matugga, and Bulenga.
During the crackdown, over 2,000 boxes of assorted medicines and 740 tins of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), valued at over Shs1 billion, were recovered.
“The operation focused on outlets that were either unlicensed, employed unqualified staff, or failed to meet the minimum standards for drug storage,” Akali explained.
Three individuals were arrested during the operation for possessing government-issued medicines meant for free distribution, including ARVs and malaria drugs.
The suspects are set to stand trial at the Standards and Utility Court in Makindye on January 5, 2025.
NDA Public Relations Manager, Abiaz Rwamwiri, emphasized the significance of the operation, noting that the authority has recovered medicines worth over Shs4 billion this year alone, the majority of which were government-supplied drugs.
He expressed concern over the smuggling of these medicines into neighboring countries such as Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, where they are sold at inflated prices.
“Our intelligence shows that these stolen medicines are being sold on the black market abroad. While they are sold at lower prices here, they are smuggled out and sold at much higher prices in other countries, depriving Ugandans of essential healthcare resources,” Rwamwiri said.
The NDA has urged operators of the closed outlets to visit their Kampala Extra Regional Office at Akamwesi Mall for compliance guidance and to reclaim their impounded medicines.
“We are committed to ensuring that only licensed pharmacies and drug shops operate. The impounded drugs will remain in our custody until operators meet regulatory standards,” Akali reiterated.