Uganda’s drug crisis has been ongoing for years, with various efforts made to address the problem, but little progress has been seen.
Despite various interventions, the disappearance of essential drugs from public health facilities remains rampant, causing widespread suffering.
For many, this has caused serious problems, including death and increased poverty, as patients have to spend a lot of money buying medicine from private clinics, medicine that should have been free at government hospitals paid for by taxpayer money.
In response to this ongoing crisis, the National Drug Authority (NDA) has reaffirmed its dedication to combating the theft of government-supplied medications in public health facilities.
Medard Bitekyerezo, the chairperson of the NDA, stressed this dedication while speaking at the grand opening of the authority’s central region offices in Masaka City on Friday.
His remarks come as part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in Uganda’s health system, ensuring that vital drugs reach the people who need them most.
Bitekyerezo noted that drug theft in public hospitals is on the rise, with many of the stolen medicines ending up in private clinics across the country.
He also mentioned that some of these drugs, which should be available for free through public hospitals funded by taxpayers, are even smuggled out of the country. He stressed how unfair this is to taxpayers who rely on these services.
Preliminary investigations by the National Drug Authority (NDA) and security agencies have revealed that essential medications like ARVs, antimalarials, antibiotics, and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are among the drugs being smuggled.
He urged the public, local leaders, and security personnel to join the fight against this criminal activity.
Bitekyerezo further explained that the theft isn’t just small amounts but large volumes of government-supplied drugs.
He called on public hospitals to be more vigilant and suggested regular checks on health workers leaving the facilities to curb these thefts.
He stressed the need for those involved in stealing these medicines to be arrested and prosecuted, as their actions harm the poorest people, who are often left without the drugs they desperately need.
“As the Chairman of NDA, it deeply pains me to see this growing issue, which is not only an insult to the government but also a grave injustice to the poor, for whom these drugs are intended,” he said, adding that it is disheartening that individuals are stealing these medicines for their selfish gain.
He urged the public to work with the NDA to ensure that drugs procured for Ugandans reach those in need. “While we are not against treating our neighbors, they should find these medications in our public health centers, as they are meant for Ugandans,” he added.
The NDA central office was relocated from Kampala to Masaka on July 15th, though it was officially inaugurated today, Friday, September 27th.
This move was made to alleviate the challenges faced by people in the region who had to travel to Kampala to obtain operational licenses for pharmacies and drug shops.
David Nahamya, the secretary to the authority, will help bring services closer to the people in the region, support herbal medicine producers in utilising the NDA laboratory to create proper doses for their products, and combat counterfeit and smuggled medicines in the area.
“We have been attempting to regulate from a distance, and the move to Masaka has been long overdue. To effectively address the challenges, we need to collaborate with other stakeholders. If we can enforce self-regulation, it would make a significant difference since the NDA cannot be everywhere at once,” he stated.
He stated the importance of public awareness, noting that efforts are underway to educate the public and involve them in tackling the smuggling of veterinary medicines, an issue potentially linked to the porous borders and cattle corridors.
“We are committed to addressing those stealing from the poor by ensuring that drugs meant for the public remain in public facilities,” he added, stressing the NDA’s seriousness in combating these issues.
Huddu Hussein, the Masaka City Resident Commissioner, expressed his appreciation for the NDA bringing services closer to the community.
He noted that relocating the center to Masaka will save residents from traveling to Kampala for licenses and believes this will help tackle issues of drug theft and counterfeit medicines in the region.
“There are challenges with drug supplies in public facilities, and while the government is working to ensure availability, some people are still stealing these drugs. This must stop,” he stated.
“I urge all stakeholders to do their part and support the NDA in addressing this problem so people can access quality healthcare.”
Micheal Webba Lwetabe, the Publicity Secretary of the Pharmacy Owners’ Association, urged pharmacy owners to avoid buying drugs from unregistered distributors, as these may be smuggled. He pledged to work with the NDA and URA to combat counterfeit and smuggled drugs in the market.
Denis Ssenyonjo, Chairman of the National Drug Shops Advocacy Initiative, highlighted the burden of over-taxation, particularly how trading licenses have become operations taxes, which he said is unfair.
He called on the NDA to support their members and help stabilise drug prices, which would reduce smuggling.
Ssenyonjo also requested that the NDA assist unlicensed drug outlets in getting registered, now that the office is closer, by easing some of the restrictions that prevent operators from complying. This, he said, would reduce the number of illegal outlets.
He further called on the Ministry of Health, NDA, local governments, and other stakeholders to improve medical waste management in communities where drug shops are authorised to test and treat malaria, ensuring they don’t cause harm.
Ssenyonjo further advised drug shop operators to take their medical waste to public health centers for proper disposal instead of dumping it irresponsibly.
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