The National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed 167 drug outlets in Nakaseke, Nakasongola and Luwero.
The outlets were closed for illegal operations.
The closures followed NDA’s conclusion of a 12-day enforcement operation in the Districts of Nakaseke, Nakasongola, and Luwero where 503 drug outlets were inspected.
Out of these, 20 pharmacies, 454 drug shops (408 human and 46 veterinary), 2 herbal drug shops, and 27 clinics.
According to Abiaz Rwamwiri, NDA’s Public Relations Manager, the post-market surveillance activity was intended to protect the human and animal population from drugs and healthcare products that are substandard, counterfeit, unauthorized and, unqualified persons handling drugs among others.
By the close of the operation, 281 outlets were found to have been licensed, 55 had their licenses in process, and 167 outlets including 6 pharmacies were issued closure notices due to non-compliance issues.
336 boxes of assorted drugs estimated at Shs 81,250,000 were impounded, Rwamwiri told Graha Details.
Tamale James William, the Head of Regions at NDA advised all operators whose drug outlets were closed and whose drugs have been impounded to report at the NDA Kampala Extra Regional offices in Nakawa for guidance on compliance requirements.
According to Tamale, the new licensing season for the calendar year 2022 has started, and all drug operators including stakeholders are supposed to commence the renewal exercise of their licenses as soon as possible to avoid any inconveniences.
NDA has also called upon the general public to take note and report any drug outlets that do not comply with the national standards on a toll-free line 0800 101 999 to ensure that there is safety of drugs and to continue saving lives.