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Drug shops closed in crack down
Police officers and UCDA officials examine the impounded coffee at Lwengo Police Station. PHOTO BY MARTINS. E.SSEKWEYAMA
Ntungamo.
Authorities in Ntungamo District have closed down 15 drug shops and clinics for lack of operational licences or being run by unlicenced and unprofessional people.
Others were found selling government drugs. The operation in major trading centres in Rubaare, Rwahi, Rwentobo, Rwashamaire and Ntungamo Town Council also saw the arrest of five health workers suspected to be operating without licences.
Ntungamo District drug inspector Appolo Bwendero said the operation aimed at ensuring adherence to National Drug Authority regulations and medical rules on establishing and operating drug shops and clinics.
He said many drug shops had been set up by unqualified individuals and were selling drugs they were not competent to handle. Due to poor storage, he said, drugs expired in the shops but were being sold to the public.
“We have many cases of people overspending on healthcare, especially drugs. This is because they buy drugs from poor facilities run by unqualified people not even fit to be on village health teams and they call them doctors and nurses. Besides, if you look at where they keep these drugs, they can never spend five days there without expiring or being dangerous,” Mr Bwendero said.
Three of the health centres closed in Rwentobo had stocks of government drugs whose labels had been removed.
Five of the drug shops were being run by unqualified individuals while three were operating in a poor environment with unsuitable storage facilities.
Mr Bwendero said one of the drug shops in Nyakyera Trading Centre was licenced and had drugs but also had a bar in the same room for drugs.
Others closed were selling drugs recommended for a different class of drug shop.
