By Joseph muyingo
ARUA CITY — The National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed 15 illegal drug outlets in the West Nile region and impounded 190 boxes of assorted medicines worth more than Shs50 million following a week-long enforcement operation.
The targeted operation covered Adjumani, Arua, Moyo, Koboko and Paidha Town Council in Zombo District, as the authority stepped up efforts to curb the sale and distribution of medicines through unlicensed outlets.
According to the NDA, the closed outlets were either operating without valid licenses or employing unqualified personnel, putting the public at risk of receiving unsafe or improperly handled medicines.
The enforcement operation also resulted in police cases being registered against three pharmacies allegedly operating without valid licenses.
They include Zyphar Pharmacy in Adjumani Town, owned by Hamis Yusuf; Akubus Pharmaceuticals on Hothi Road in Moyo, owned by Akule Patrick; and Cinya Pharmacy on Transport Road in Koboko, owned by Odong Daniel.
The cases were registered at Adjumani, Moyo and Koboko Central Police Stations respectively.
The NDA said the operation is part of its mandate to protect public health through the regulation of human and veterinary medicines and healthcare products.
The authority warned that medicines obtained from illegal or unlicensed outlets may be substandard, expired, falsified, adulterated or poorly stored, potentially leading to treatment failure, irrational drug use, antimicrobial resistance and other serious health complications.
Operators whose medicines were impounded have been advised to visit the NDA West Nile Regional Office in Arua for compliance guidance and procedures for reclaiming their medicines.
The authority has also directed operators of unlicensed drug outlets and those employing unqualified personnel to stop their operations until they meet the required licensing standards.
The NDA further urged members of the public to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and drug shops and to report suspected illegal drug activities.
The authority says it will continue intensifying enforcement operations across the country to ensure that Ugandans have access to safe, quality and properly regulated medicines.
