The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Drug Authority has impounded drugs worth sh46 million from 22 outlets within Kampala.
The drugs were got during a 12-day enforcement operation after NDA were tipped off that some pharmacies and drug shops were operating without valid licenses.
The operation also targeted merchandise and stationary shops that were found to be in possession of pharmaceutical products. They were impounded from establishments located in Katwe, Kabalagala, Old Kampala, the city centre and Nakawa.
As part of the operations, 14 pharmacies, 4 clinics, three-drug shops, and two general merchandise shops were closed and drugs were impounded. According to NDA, total of 118 boxes of assorted drugs were impounded from pharmacies while five boxes were taken from clinics that were found to be selling drugs illegally.
Samuel Kyomukama, the head of enforcement at the authority say the operation was carried out following several tips they had gotten that some businesses were operating contrary to the law.
In addition to impounding drugs, the authority working together with police arrested 17 individuals that were found working in the affected establishment.
The culprits were charged with different crimes such a; operating a pharmacy without a license and unlawful possession of classified drugs. If found guilty the perpetrators are liable to a one-year prison sentence or a monetary fine.
James William Tamale, the head of regional offices at NDA says the authority will continue carrying out operations across the country to ensure that laws regarding drug sales are followed in the country.
“The society we live in has organisations to ensure that people follow the law,” Tamale said. “NDA has a mandate that it shall carry out as long as persons who want to break the laws exist. People are out there who know the law but they want to break it.”
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