The National Drug Authority-NDA Western regional office has taken decisive action by closing down 180 illegal drug shops in a significant crackdown spanning five days. Conducted across Kyankwanzi, Kyenjonjo, Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Hoima districts from February 4th to February 9, this operation marks a pivotal step in ensuring public health and safety.
The NDA’s enforcement unit, during this operation, impounded 416 boxes of assorted drugs valued at over 115 million shillings. These actions were prompted by the blatant disregard for proper procedures governing the trade of human and animal medicines by the owners of these establishments.
Samuel Kyomukama, Head of Enforcement at the Western Regional offices in Hoima City, emphasized that the closure of 180 drug outlets was a result of serious violations. The impounded 416 boxes of assorted human medicine underscored the gravity of the situation, with some outlets trading in expired drugs, engaging in relabeling and repackaging, and even being managed by unqualified personnel.
Kyomukama reiterated that such operations are essential to uphold the NDA’s mandate of safeguarding public health through the effective regulation of human and animal medicines and healthcare products.
Dr. Christopher Luzinda, the NDA Manager for the Western Region, stressed the importance of ensuring that the population accesses drugs exclusively from qualified pharmacies and drug shops, underlining the critical role these regulations play in protecting public health.
This crackdown echoes a similar initiative in November 2019 when NDA officials conducted operations in the region, resulting in the closure of 183 drug outlets out of 538 inspected. During that operation, 342 boxes of assorted medicines, estimated at 119.7 million shillings, were impounded, highlighting the persistent challenge of ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in the pharmaceutical sector.
