The National Drug Authority (NDA) has impounded fake veterinary drugs in Kalungu District.

NDA has conducted joint enforcement in the district with Kalungu District Veterinary Officer (DVO) in 36 outlets. These included veterinary drug shops, agro-chemical shops, hardware shops and animal feed shops.

The institution said this is part of NDA’s routine post-market surveillance activities intended to ensure that veterinary drugs on the market are of good quality, safe, efficacious approved by NDA and that only qualified persons are handling drugs among others.

During the operation, most of the drug outlets inspected had poor storage which leads to drugs deterioration. Some veterinary drug shops were also found selling veterinary vaccines without adequate refrigeration facilities which the compromise quality of the vaccines and make them less effective.

Several agrochemical shops were found with stocks of veterinary drugs without a licensed neither inspected for suitability of premises, which contravenes the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.

Some of the outlets were also found with attendants that lacked minimum qualifications to handle drugs. In licensed outlets, the full-time in charge had abandoned the outlets to relatives, spouses, and other unqualified personnel.

One drug shop in the name of Friend's Veterinary Drug shop was found in possession of recalled batches of Norotraz, a drug for killing, controlling ticks, lice, and mange mites.

Some illegal outlets, agro-chemical shops, and hardware shops were found repacking drugs from the primary container into small unit vials (containers). This results into adulteration, drug resistance, loss of efficacy and quality.

This has also contributed to side effects such as skin reaction, blindness, and sporadic abortion. Also opens way for the selling of expired drugs in new containers.

All impounded drugs will be destroyed and licenced operators who were found with non-compliance issues have been issued closure warnings.

NDA promised to continue to crack down on the illegal operators to ensure the quality drugs available on the Ugandan market. They called for collaboration with all stakeholders so that the illegal operators are eliminated.

NDA appealed to the public to be vigilant and report malpractices on their toll-free line 0800 101 999.