Sh1.2b drugs to be destroyed
Jul 18, 2007
THE National Medical Stores is seeking permission from the National Drug Authority and the Uganda Revenue Authority to destroy expired malaria and AIDS drugs worth sh1.2b.
By Anne Mugisa
THE National Medical Stores is seeking permission from the National Drug Authority and the Uganda Revenue Authority to destroy expired malaria and AIDS drugs worth sh1.2b.
NMS director Apollo Mwesigye yesterday said: “There was over-procurement of the drugs with a short shelf-life.â€
He added that the shelf-life of the drugs had already reduced by the time they were imported.
He explained that 80% of the drugs were imported by third-parties such as the Global Fund, the Uganda Aids Commission and the Vector Control.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Richard Nduhuura, said NMS was not to blame for the expiry of the drugs since it did not procure them. He said all drugs are distributed under strict instructions following allocation lists. If these are not given to NMS, the drugs cannot leave the stores, he added.
“Especially the ARVs, they have to be given out on strict instructions to health centres accredited by the Ministry of Health.â€
He said NMS had their own drugs and their operations were going on well.
THE National Medical Stores is seeking permission from the National Drug Authority and the Uganda Revenue Authority to destroy expired malaria and AIDS drugs worth sh1.2b.
NMS director Apollo Mwesigye yesterday said: “There was over-procurement of the drugs with a short shelf-life.â€
He added that the shelf-life of the drugs had already reduced by the time they were imported.
He explained that 80% of the drugs were imported by third-parties such as the Global Fund, the Uganda Aids Commission and the Vector Control.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Richard Nduhuura, said NMS was not to blame for the expiry of the drugs since it did not procure them. He said all drugs are distributed under strict instructions following allocation lists. If these are not given to NMS, the drugs cannot leave the stores, he added.
“Especially the ARVs, they have to be given out on strict instructions to health centres accredited by the Ministry of Health.â€
He said NMS had their own drugs and their operations were going on well.