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Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Drug Authority has closed 51 drug shops and impounded medicines worth 35 million shillings from Greater Luwero.
Early this week, NDA and Police embarked on a compliance enforcement operation targeting drug outlets in the districts of Nakaseke and Nakasongola.
According to Dr Sam Nkuba Bainomugisha the Senior Inspector of Drugs at Kampala NDA Extra Office, by Friday at least 32 drug shops in Nakaseke and 19 drugs in Nakasongola were found operating illegally.
Nkuba explained that some drugs were found operating without licenses and others hiring unqualified personnel.
Nkuba added that the drug shops were ordered to close immediately and their drugs worth 32 million shillings were impounded.
He added all impounded drugs were transported to NDA stores at Nakawa where the affected owners of drugs will reclaim it after fulfilling the requirements.
Tom Makumbi the Senior Inspector of Drugs at Kampala NDA Extra Office added that some drugs were found to be administered by School dropouts and casual laborers which was risky and illegal.
Makumbi added that in some drug shops, medicines were found to be kept in unconducive buildings which may compromise their safety.
Some operators of the drug shops pleaded with the Inspectors to leave the facilities open as they corrected the mistakes but rejected their request.
“We have found out that some are just lazy and others reluctant to put in place the requirements to apply for licenses. We have even warned some before to relocate to safer places but they refused. So we couldn’t accept their request to stay open” Makumbi said.
NDA inspectors said there is increased compliance with the licensing compared to past years due to the enforcement and awareness campaigns.
Last year, NDA the National Drug Authority closed 86 drug outlets in the districts of Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola whereas in 2021,167 drugs closed for operating without licenses.
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