Parliament Committee Bans Hepatitis B Vaccination in Private Health Facilities

The Parliamentary Committee on Health has directed for immediate suspension of vaccination exercise against the Hepatitis B disease, in private clinics and hospitals.

This follows reports by the National Drug Authority (NDA) yesterday that a number of Ugandans have been vaccinated with a fake Hepatitis B vaccine from India whose content and effect on people’s lives is yet to be ascertained.

NDA which is the regulator for drugs revealed that they seized counterfeit vaccines from atleast 8 private health facilities including clinics and hospitals.

These included Mbarara Community Hospital, Devine Mercy, Mayanja Memorial Hospital, Mbarara City Clinic, all in Mbarara, Family Doctors’ Clinic in Ntungamo, UMC Hospital in Bukoto, Malcolm Health Care in Kisasi and Kampala Medical Chambers.

The vaccine brand that is reported to have been manipulated is one manufactured by Serum Institute in India.

While interfacing with NDA officials on Wednesday, the legislators faulted the Authority for failure to ensure stringent measures against the importation of fake drugs.

The committee members through their Chairman, Michael Bukenya proposed that the vaccination of Hepatitis B be stopped in private hospitals until the Ministry of Health accredits and announces facilities that are credible enough to carry on with the vaccination.

“Vaccination should continue in public facilities where we are sure of the line of procurement. But in as far as private facilities are concerned, it should be suspended,” Bukenya ruled.

The Chairperson of the NDA Board, Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo admitted that there are weaknesses in his team but noted that it is not realistic to call off the vaccination since the drug in question is known and being investigated.

Bitekyerezo argued that the hospitals would be left to use other vaccines from different manufacturers that are verified.

Meanwhile, officials from NDA have been further questioned about the complaints on selective issuance of operational licenses to pharmacy owners in favor of the foreigners, a practice that is likely to frustrate local businesses.

The Legal Secretary to the Association of Pharmacy Owners, Deo Kalikumutima accused the Authority for denying Ugandans licenses in the very places where they allow foreigners to operate.