Admin
The National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed 65 drug outlets and a pharmacy operating without the required licenses during a week-long compliance enforcement operation in the Lango sub-region.
Authorities also impounded 150 boxes of assorted medicines worth more than Shs37 million.
The operation targeted unlicensed drug outlets in the districts of Amolatar, Oyam, and Lira, as well as Lira City, with the aim of curbing the illegal sale of medicines.
During the operation, Florence Lakot was arrested for allegedly carrying out the work of a pharmacist without a license at Lira University.
Meanwhile, security agencies have launched a manhunt for Godfrey Bua and Joel Aporu of Amolatar District, who were found operating illegal drug stores in unsuitable premises.
Speaking at a press briefing at the NDA Northern Regional Office in Lira City, Alfred Kali, representing NDA Head of Enforcement Samuel Kyamukama, said the enforcement followed repeated warnings and sensitization efforts.
He explained that according to Section 27 (2) of the National Drug Authority Act, having unqualified personnel handling medicines amounts to unlawful possession of classified drugs, an offence that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine of one million shillings.
Kali further explained that the conditions in which the medicines were stored posed a danger to the public.
“This means that drugs stored here, their quality is not assured, and they may be dangerous to the public. But also they store very many classes of drugs which are not authorized to be handled by virtue of the qualification of the people who are handling these medicines.”
Kali observed that the ongoing operation is part of NDA’s mandate to protect and promote public health through effective regulation of human and animal medicines.
He further added that “operators whose outlets were closed can reclaim their drugs after obtaining the required licenses and meeting regulatory standards”.
Meanwhile, Abiaz Rwamwiri, NDA’s Public Relations Manager, said efforts are underway to arrest the two suspects who are currently on the run. “We, working with the police, are looking for them, and once arrested, they will be taken to court and prosecuted.”
Rwamwiri attributed treatment failures and increasing microbial resistance among patients to irrational drug use and the sale of medicines in unlicensed premises, which often leads to the circulation of poor-quality drugs.
He also cautioned residents against purchasing medicines from hawkers, noting that such vendors sometimes sell expired drugs that endanger people’s lives.
