Zadock Amanyisa |Tayari News
Authorities at the National Drug Authority (NDA) have warned the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) against registering and issuing licenses to dispensers who privately run drug shops and sell drugs to the public.
The warning follows reports that AHCP has been registering drug shops and allowing private dispensers to sell drugs to the public, which the NDA Public Relations Manager, Abiaz Rwamwiri, says breaks the law and invites prosecution.
“The National Drug Authority (NDA) has noted with great concern the circulation of letters and a public notice purportedly issued by the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC), which claims that the Council has commenced the registration and licensing of drug shops to be managed by dispensers who wish to engage in private practice. The notice further invited dispensers intending to operate drug shops for private practice to apply to AHPC for registration and licensing.”
According to Rwamwiri, NDA is the sole statutory agency mandated under the laws of Uganda to license entities engaged in the retail sale of drugs to the public, including drug shops, and actions of AHPC contravene the law.
Rwamwiri clarifies that the regulation of drug shops in Uganda “is vested in the NDA in accordance with Section 15 of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act,” and “the actions of AHPC raise serious concerns as they contravene public law, create a fragmented regulatory environment and contribute to the increased proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines.”
“Section 28(a) of the Allied Health Professionals Act, Cap 296, recognises dispensers as
cadres who may engage in private practice by managing drug shops and compounding or preparing mixtures, as may be approved by NDA.” He said
“This legal provision was interpreted by the Court of Appeal in the case of Cise Dispensers (U) Ltd versus National Drug Authority, Civil Appeal No. 20 of 2009, where the Court ruled that the purpose of the Allied Health Professionals Act is purely to regulate, supervise and control the Allied Health Professionals.” NDA’s Rwamwiri stated
“NDA strongly advises the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) to immediately cease the ongoing registration and licensing of drug shops for dispensers and informs the general public not to be misled, as participation in this exercise may result in regulatory action, including prosecution.” He added