Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The NDA Western regional office shut down 180 illegally operating drug shops in a recent five-day operation across Kyankwanzi, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Hoima districts from February 4th to February 9. The enforcement unit impounded 416 boxes of drugs worth over 115 million shillings, alleging that the shops violated trading procedures for human and animal medicines.
Samuel Kyomukama, Head of Enforcement in Hoima City, reported that the closures resulted from queries during the operation, with some outlets dealing in expired drugs, engaging in relabeling and repackaging, and employing unqualified staff. The NDA’s mandate is to safeguard public health by regulating human and animal medicines, conducting post-market surveillance to combat substandard, counterfeit, and unregistered medicines.
Dr. Christopher Luzinda, NDA Manager for the Western Region, emphasized the need to ensure the population accesses drugs from qualified pharmacies. Similar operations in November 2019 led to the closure of 183 drug outlets and the confiscation of 342 boxes of medicines valued at 119.7 million shillings.
We have concluded a 5-day targeted compliance enforcement operation in Kiryandongo, Kyenjojo, Hoima City, Kikuube, Masindi and Kyankwanzi where 180 non-complying drug outlets have been closed. @MinofHealthUG @DailyMonitor @newvisionwire @ntvuganda @nbstv @ubctvuganda pic.twitter.com/nm5mSaGKcj
— Uganda National Drug Authority (@UNDAuthority) February 9, 2024
