Pharmacists Petition Parliament Over Restrictions on New Pharmacies

Members of the Uganda Pharmacy Owners Association have asked Parliament to investigate the National Drug Authority (NDA), claiming the regulator is involved in illegal activities.

The Association’s leadership through their Legal Secretary, Deo Kalikumutima petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Thursday morning and demanded a forensic audit of NDA.

Over 1,000 pharmacists across the country who signed this petition contend that the National Drug Authority, a national regulatory body is operating with high rigidity especially to the local pharmacists, making it difficult for them to run business in the country.

They explained that majority of indigenous pharmacists are likely to be phased out of business despite the contribution they have made to the country in terms of job creation. Theh say NDA gives foreigners priority when it comes to licensing new pharmacies.

The National Drug Authority recently announced that it was no longer going to issue licenses or even renew licences in Kampala and major towns for new drug shops and pharmacies which are considered as not meeting the standards.

One of the requirements is the minimum distance (1.5 kilometers) between two of these entities. NDA said this new regulation to the mushrooming of drug shops in highly populated areas was intended to ensure equitable distribution of medical services especially to peripheral areas.

But Mukasa Tomusange, the Vice Chairperson told Parliament on Thursday that the proposed Licensing Guidelines 2018 by NDA, propose a ban on the opening up of new pharmacies in Kampala and all major towns including Nansana, Wakiso, Entebbe, Kira, Jinja, Mukono, Masaka, Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, Soroti, Tororo, Lira, Fort portal, and Arua which he said is in bad faith.

The group has demanded that the entire establishment of National Drug Authority including the Board and the technical arm be investigated and audited.

“All dealings of Ms Dona Kusemelerwa the Acting Secretary of the Authority should be investigated and audited. All illegal and unlawful closures of pharmacies should be put on hold until the above investigation is completed,” Tomusange said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker has promised to task the Committee on Health to take up the matter, in the bid to protect local actors in the pharmaceutical market.

“How can you stop the creation of new pharmacies when the population is growing. But I won’t get into the details, I will ensure that this matter is handled,” Kadaga said.