Fake syringes on sale

Sep 30, 2015

There is a rampant sale of fake syringes on the market, an investigation carried out by National Drug Authority has revealed

By Carol Kasujja

There is a rampant sale of fake syringes on the market, an investigation carried out by National Drug Authority has revealed.


The shocking development came to light as NDA officials visited Grand Corner plaza in the city centre and found dozens of fake expired syringes were being repackaged for sell.

“As a way of promoting safety injections and preventing the transmission of blood infectious diseases from one person to another, we banned the sale of disposable syringes and started promoting auto-disable syringes (which are used only once) because some people would reuse the disposable syringes and others would repackage them again. In a recent survey, we found people packaging the banned syringes at Grand Corner on the 9th floor,” says Mohammed Lukwago, an inspector at NDA.

Mohammed Lukwago, Inspector at National Drug Authority (NDA) exposing fake springes found during the inspections they carried out recently at Grand Corner plaza in Kampala. Photo by Shamim Saad

Lukwago noted that fake syringes are from ABC brand are smuggled from Kenya. It is hard to find these sellers because their customers contact them on phone.

“We have been looking for these people for a year. We got to know them through our intelligence. They use unofficial routes and bicycles to bring them in the country. When they get into the country, sellers repackage them,” Noted Lukwago.

Speaking to New Vision, David Nahamya, the head of inspectors at NDA said that the auto-disable syringes are one-shot injections which automatically break or jam after being used.

“We do not want to promote disposable syringes as they can be recycled and repackaged. Ugandans who repackage them sell them at a cheaper price in villages and some clinics in Kampala. Others export them to Congo and South Sudan,” noted Nahamya.

While administering a drug using a fake syringe, a needle can break in the process. On the very tip, the needle is actual metal but it can scratch and harm someone if not used carefully. Usually when such needles are used, a patient feels a lot of pain because the spring is strong.

Nahamya said that in most cases when a fake syringe is used, the patient gets a low dose of the drug because the medicine usually sticks to the walls of the syringe hence  under treatment.

NDA officials are advising people to always be keen when about to get an injection, to always make sure they observe when a medical personnel is opening the syringe package before administering it to them. If the pack is open, they shouldn't allow to take the injection.

When asked about the fake syringes on the market, the permanent secretary in the ministry of health Dr. Asuman Lukwago said that he received information about the syringes and they are working with NDA to stop the vice.

“Whoever is selling syringes is putting Ugandans' lives at risk; we are working with NDA and other law enforcement organ like Police and URA to investigate more people to make sure we stop them. It is illegal and anyone got will be prosecuted,” said Lukwago.

Officials from National Medical store say they have not received any kind of information about fake syringes.

“As NMS, all the syringes we get are certified by NDA, we have no information about that and we cannot comment,” said Dan Kimosho, NMS spokes-person.
 

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