The National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed a total of 262 unlicensed pharmacies and drug-selling outlets for illegal operations.
NDA Head of Enforcement, Samuel Kyomukama, said the closed facilities were also being operated by unqualified personnel in the districts of Iganga, Kamuli, Buikwe, Jinja, Buyende, Kaliro, Namutumba, Kayunga, and Jinja City.
Kyomukama added about 406 boxes of substandard assorted medicines worth Ugx100m were further impounded during the operation conducted over the weekend.
He said that some of the culprits were licensed to operate drug shops but were found working in clinics.
Kyomukama revealed that most operators lacked operational licenses and had employed unqualified staff to run the drug shops.
He therefore advised the operators and proprietors of the pharmacies and clinics to acquire the rightful operational licenses, renew the expired licenses, and employ qualified staff to run the drug stores.
“We urge operators whose outlets have been closed and those whose medicines were confiscated to acquire the correct operating licenses and can seek guidance from our regional offices of South Eastern Uganda,” Kyomukama said.
The NDA cautioned the public to remain vigilant when purchasing medicine from pharmacies and while seeking medical attention from clinics.
In 2021, the National Drug Authority closed 249 drug outlets in Western Uganda, 110 from Northern region and 277 drug outlets in South Eastern Uganda. In 2022, drugs worth over Ugx26m were impounded in the greater Masaka. Some of the culprits were arrested and convicted of the same.
