Distributor loses sh2b over banned drugs

By Vision Reporter

The local drug distributor for the Indian pharmaceutical firm banned for flouting standards will lose an estimated sh2.6b worth of drugs.

Abacus, the local distributors of Flamingo Pharmaceutical, have been ordered by the National Drug Authority (NDA) to recall and collect all the 67 lines of drugs and re-export them back to Mumbai for destruction.

Observers say the strong action will serve as a deterrent for foreign firms, who for years have taken Uganda and some sub- Saharan states as a dumping ground with impunity.

“These are medicines we are talking about. It is about helping people cure and now the very medicines could do the opposite. These guys do not care about us, we need to teach them a lesson,” said a private pharmacist.

NDA spokesman Fred Sekyana said the 67 drugs have been quarantined and Abacus, as the local technical representatives, are accountable and responsible for recalling the drugs. Abacus has been given fourteen (14) days to recall all the drugs.

The drugs, including some common ones like Panadol and Ampicillin injection, flouted general standards, and medical personnel from major hospitals complained that the drugs were no longer responding to patients’ ailments. Some were not dissolving and yet they were used as intravenous (administered straight to the blood).

“We appeal to the public toaccord this matter utmost importance and be vigilant about its health and that of others. The name Flamingo should not appear anywhere,” said Gordon Sematiko, the NDA executive secretary, while announcing the ban.

The regulator started withdrawing the drugs as early as April.

NDA has cautioned the public to be on the lookout for drugs with the Flamingo manufacturers’ label and has also asked all pharmacies that stocked these medicines to take them back to the distributor-Abacus located at former Metro in Nakawa.

“In Uganda, we insist that the manufacturer’s name is on the packet. The clinicians and patients must be more observant to see the manufacturer (Flamingo),” said Sematiko.

One of their products, Hydrocortisone, was deregistered in April even before the investigations were done.

There were complaints from the Uganda Cancer Institute, Mulago Hospital and the National Medical Stores.

Flamingo’s premises were first inspected in June and the factory was found not to comply with good manufacturing practice and all products were suspended.

But the firm appealed to the board and were given a hearing on August 9 in which the pharmaceutical firm said they had made the necessary renovations.

But the board resolved that all injectables be deregistered and those already with the Ugandan distributor Abacus be re-exported to India for destruction.