Prime
Crack the whip on all illegal drug shops, pharmacies
What you need to know:
The issue: Illegal pharmacies.
Our view: There is need to regulate all drug suppliers to avoid unprofessionalism in the medical sector. It is, therefore, necessary for NDA to swiftly crack the whip on all illegal drugstores.
The National Drug Authority (NDA), which controls the manufacture, importation, distribution and use of drugs, has threatened to close 100 human and veterinary pharmacies across the country for failure to meet quality standards.
According to Mr Frederick Sekyana, the NDA head of public relations, 52 pharmacies have not applied to renew their annual licences while 48 still have issues regarding space and ventilation requirements.
Mr Sekyana, however, did not give the date beyond which noncompliant drugstores will be closed.
The regulations are: 20 square metres of continuous floor space for retail pharmacies, 41 square metres for wholesale pharmacies, and 61 square metres for dual applications for both wholesale and retail pharmacies.
Other requirements include separate storage for recalled, expired and rejected drugs, and adequate toilet facilities not shared with any other premises, among others.
But in October last year, NDA found that many pharmacies in the city do not meet these requirements. The pharmacies were congested, had poor storage facilities and their hygiene was wanting.
Although most drugs are required to be stored at room temperature, many pharmacies in Nakasero, Nakivubo and William Street in Kampala do not pass the test. The situation may be worse in other parts of the country. NDA’s threat for closure is intended to ensure the quality of drugs dispensed to the public is not compromised.
As a regulator, NDA must stop perpetually warning and threatening to close illegal outlets – but walk the talk. Much as there have been closures in the past, mere closures do not deter unscrupulous businesspeople from opening their shops again. The wider public needs to see punitive and deterrent measures, such as incarceration and hefty fines slapped on illegal operators.
There should also be serious efforts between NDA, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, police, Uganda Revenue Authority and the local leadership to crackdown on these unlawful drugstores so as to force them conform to standards.
We also think noncompliance is as a result of frail legislation which leaves NDA a mere scarecrow; for instance, why would a pharmacy continue to operate for months without a licence?
There is need to regulate all drug suppliers to avoid unprofessionalism in the medical sector. It is, therefore, necessary for NDA to swiftly and sternly crack the whip on all illegal drugstores. It is also vital to increase vigilance in the inspection of all dealers in medicines across the country.
Lastly, all Ugandans must take part in the fight against illegal pharmacies and drug shops. And unless the entire country comes together to fight this criminality, we shall continue to be served by illegal pharmacies.
