NDA 'strongly advises' AHPC to stop registration and licensing of drug shops
NDA says the regulation of drug shops in Uganda is vested in the Authority in accordance with Section 15 of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.
NDA public relations manager Abiaz Rwamwiri told a press conference on January 30, 2026 that NDA is the only statutory agency mandated to license anyone trying to retail drugs to the public. (Courtesy photo)
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HEALTH & LEGISLATION
The National Drug Authority (NDA) has "strongly" urged the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) to "immediately" cease registration and licensing of drug shops, saying it (NDA) is the only statutory agency mandated to license anyone intending to retail drugs to the public.
This follows a January 21, 2026 public notice posted on social media platform X by AHPC saying the council had started to "register and license drug shops to be managed by dispensers who wish to engage in private practice".
In that notice undersigned by registrar Peter Nyamutale, AHPC said the registration and licensure was in accordance with the provisions of The Allied Health Professionals Act, Cap 296.
The council pointed to sections 28(a), 30 and 31 of the Act.
Section 28 details the categories of allied health professionals that may engage in private practice. Specifically, Section 28(a) provides for "dispensers to manage drug shops, compounding and preparation of mixtures as may be approved by the National Drug Authority".
Section 30 touches on licensing of private practice and Section 31 on the registration of allied health units.
"A sample of the drug shop Certificate of Registration was published in the Uganda Gazette on 26th September, 2025," said Nyamutale in the notice.
'Serious concerns'
But on Friday (January 30), nine days after the release of the AHPC notice, NDA came out to "clarify that it [NDA] is the sole statutory agency mandated under the laws of Uganda to license entities engaged in the retail use of drugs to the public, including drug shops".
Addressing a press conference, NDA public relations manager Abiaz Rwamwiri (pictured above) said 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.
"Therefore, 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 recognizes dispensers as cadres who may engage in private practice by managing drug shops and compounding or preparing mixtures, as may be approved by NDA," added Rwamwiri.
"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 strongly advises the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) to immediately cease registration and licensing of drug shops and informs the general public not to be misled, as participation in this exercise may result in regulatory action, including prosecution," said the NDA publicist.
"NDA reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling its statutory mandate to ensure the availability, at all time, of safe, good quality drugs to the entire population of Uganda, as a means of providing satisfactory health care and safeguarding the appropriate use of drugs."