The National Drugs Authority (NDA) siezes a large stash of government-issued drugs from a private residence in Namugoona – Kasubi Kampala, District.

Acting on a tip-off, NDA officials accompanied by police, swooped in on the residence located at Katongole apartments, catching the owner off guard. The raid yielded a massive haul of prescription medications, including pain killers, antibiotics and anti-retroviral drugs worth 9,000,000 Uganda shillings.

“During the operation, the suspect was found in possession of 25 boxes of classified drugs, some marked ‘Government of Uganda Not for Sale’ including anti-malarials and ARVs”. Read part of the press statement released by NDA.

The home owner, Aaron Micheal was arrested and is currently in police custody for further investigation and legal action.

All unlicensed operators have been warned and advised to immediately cease operations and comply with the legal requirements to sale medicines and health care products in Uganda.

The raid is part NDA’s effort to combat drug diversion and ensure the safe distribution of medications. The authority was vowed to intensity inspections and crack down on illegal drug activities.

The theft of government medicines is a significant component of the illicit trade in pharmaceutical products worldwide. This public health burden has moved from the initial small-scale thefts committed for personal usage to organised criminal networks that work in concealment targeting high priced medical products, either to re-introduce them into supply chain or sell them on black market.

This denies those on treatment the opportunity to get full dose or continued supply and this is one of the causes of drug resistance and it’s associated public health challenges including worsening of disease condition among others.

Report compiled by Teddy Namayanja. She’s a staff writer at SNL News Ug, passionate about Health, Politics and Human Rights.

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