NDA arrests seven over falsifying acaricides
Feb 23, 2020
The operations by National Drug Authority(NDA) to crack down on counterfeited and falsified drugs being used on farms were done last week in districts of Mbarara, Kyenjojo, Bushenyi, Kiruhura, Kazo, Ntungamo, Rukungiri and Kampala
MBARARA-Seven suspects including a commercial officer at Kyamuhunga town council have been arrested on grounds of falsifying acaricides that pose a great risk to both human and livestock.
The arrested are Richard Ahabwe 46, a resident of Mbarara who has been the main distributor from Ruti, Husein Rwaboona, Gideon Ntwirenabo a commercial officer for Kyamuhunga town council who has been an agent, Pauson Kakuru and Boonabana Bernadette.
The operations by National Drug Authority(NDA) to crack down on counterfeited and falsified drugs being used on farms were done last week in districts of Mbarara, Kyenjojo, Bushenyi, Kiruhura, Kazo, Ntungamo, Rukungiri and Kampala after receiving a tip-off from Kyenjojo local government through the production office.
It was reported that one of the officials at the district had lost a dairy breed and NDA followed up the case through what they termed as pharmaco-vigilance
Livestock farmers in the cattle corridor districts have been experiencing a challenge of tick resistance to acaricides which has seen most farmers losing their livestock.
Dr. Jeanne Muhindo Bukeka the head veterinary products, National Drug Authority Kampala while parading the suspects on Wednesday at NDA regional offices in Mbarara, said that upon investigating the matter, they realised that they had used a product which is not registered with NDA.
Muhindo said they did traceability to ascertain the chain of distribution of the drug which led them to the drug shops.
"All this helped us to reach where they were re-labeling these drugs in Ruti, Nyamitanga division in Mbarara Municipality and we managed to get the culprits who have been behind the vice. We managed to withdraw dangerous and toxic drugs that were on the market "said Muhindo.
She said that during their operations, they found out that a drug identified as Tick Burn spray which is not registered with NDA has been circulating in most drug shops.
" The suspects have been using various fumigants to kill cockroaches, bed bugs and other insects, sell them to farmers as acaricides at a very high price, they have been buying it at shs30,000 and sell it at shs100,000 "
Fake acaricides recovered
Dr. Muhindo said they recovered 30 bottles of Tick burn spray (1000mls), 11 bottles of 500mls, 86 bottles of 100mls, DD force bottles which is a fumigant which they have been relabeling and sell it to farmers. She said they recovered four bottles of DD force in 1000mls, three bottles of 100mls.
They also recovered eight empty boxes of boom super of 100mls which is a fumigant meant for spraying bats, cockroaches which is said to be highly toxic when it gets in contact with the human body. They also recovered sacks of 1,535 measuring cups removed from one of the pesticide and fumigant, re-label it as Tick burn spray.
Others recovered are 2 in 1 Ocelamectic of 500ml, three bottles of 250mls, 6 bottles of 100mls and four bottles, three sacks of offcuts, assorted stickers of the counterfeited pesticides and fumigants.
Muhindo further revealed that when such drugs are exposed to human and livestock, they cause death of livestock, reduced productivity in milk production, skin allergies to the human body and cause cancer to humans
Lt. Col James Mwesigwa the Resident District Commissioner Mbarara while parading suspects at NDA regional offices on Wednesday attributed the menace of fake acaricides on the market to the laxity within extension workers at sub-counties.
Mwesigwa said that extension workers should refrain from only visiting farmers when animals sick but also to find out why they get sick.
"If we had vigilant extension workers, all these problems would be noticed much earlier before people losing their animals, we cannot wait for NDA to do operations. Nowadays herdsmen have been turned into veterinary officers, so I think extension workers should up their game"
He mentioned the mushrooming illegal drug shops in villages that operate under people's homes selling human and livestock drugs.
Mwesigye further said that it will be his duty to ensure that files of the suspects go to court to have the culprits apprehended.
"Now like these people, they have been making a lot of money and are rich they might buy their way out before the day ends. My role will be ensuring that these suspects appear before court unless I die soon because I know the practice here of getting bribes"
He thanked the NDA team for the good work and asked them not to be intimidated by anyone. "You know here there is a culture of intimidating people; making phone calls above, whoever intimidates you, tell him/her that we also reach where they reach earlier than them"
William Mwebembezi the District Veterinary Officer for Mbarara district said that the district is now battling with a problem of tick resistance and other parasites that affect animals with unqualified practitioners in the field.
Lastly, Muhindo called upon the public to be vigilant and always report in case they suspect any drugs and dealers who are not qualified. She said that some of the drug shops found selling fake drugs, will have their licenses withdrawn.