The National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed down at least 73 drug outlets and impounded drugs worth Shs18.7m in Masaka region operations.
The operation conducted in districts such as Kalungu, Masaka, Sembabule, Bukomansimbi, and Kyotera among other districts left over 73 out of the 207 drug outlets inspected closed for operating without licenses.
Kyomukama Samuel, the head of enforcement at the National Drug Authority says that out of the 207 inspected drug outlets in the region, 184 were human drug shops, 28 veterinary drug shops, 4 pharmacies, 4 clinics, and 1 herbal medicine store.
Kyomukama says that some drug shops inspected were found untidy; others with expired drugs and others were none licensed among other violations of NDA guidelines.
He says that 123 drug outlets were licensed and about 79 drug shops were in the process of renewing their licenses yet they closed 73 stores did not comply with the operational guidelines set by NDA on top of not having licenses.
Kyomukama adds that of the drugs worth at least 18.7million Shillings impounded in the operations, some will be disposed of off since it was expired.
Magnanimously however, Kyomukama says that the owners of drugs who will fulfill the requirements of NDA will be given back their drugs if their drugs will be found fit for market.
He has however warned operators of drug outlets against operating without the necessary requirements, thanking a member of the public for being vigilant and reporting such outlets that violet operational standards.
He asked members of the public to always buy medicine from outlets that are licensed by NDA, adding that people should always take medicines as prescribed by qualified health workers if they are to get the efficacy of the medicines.
He says that NDA and Police are looking for a woman Identified as Veronica Namutebi a resident of Bwesa cell in Kalungu district who was operating a clinic in her home but who managed to run away after violating guidelines of operating a health facility.
Anatoli Ssempira, the Bwesa cell chairperson says that they were surprised on breaking into Namutebi’s house where she was operating a clinic to find that most of the drugs she had were expired and the place was extremely dirty, that she was also keeping some drugs under her bed.
He says that they are going to work with the police and NDA to ensure that she is reprimanded for operating illegally.
Locals have welcomed the operations saying that a big number of the stores in the region were operating below standards which put their lives at a risk.
Agnes Nakaketo, a resident of Kyabakuza trading center in Masaka city, however asked the National Drug Authority to always make up follow up on the facilities they close to ensure that they don’t open up again before fulfilling the NDA requirements.
– businessfocus.co.ug
