HOIMA – The National Drug Authority (NDA) has discovered 24,440 spoilt vaccines from government and private stores in their recent operations conducted in different districts of western Uganda.
Speaking during a press conference, the NDA Regional Regulatory Officer, Dr. Steven Ssemakula says, in the last two weeks, they carried out operations in the districts of Kibaale, Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kabarole, Kasanda, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Mubende in which they visited more than 70 outlets which include; veterinary drug shops, agrochemicals shops, and animal feeds shops.
During the operations, they impounded 32 boxes of assorted veterinary drugs worth Shs 230 million.
According to Ssemakula, the operations were aimed at monitoring compliance, auditing of cold chain facilities in both public and private outlets, auditing of recalled products and auditing promotional materials.
He noted that the team discovered, spoilt vaccines including 1,140 doses of rabies vaccine and 1800 doses of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)
“In the public refrigerators at the district, we found some vaccines were not properly stored, these vaccines are supposed to be stored at a certain temperature, For example; we found rabies vaccine that is supposed to be kept at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees. Being kept beyond the required temperature causes it to freeze. These vaccines were procured by Ministry of Agriculture, Animals, Industry and Fisheries and they were given to the district. We found these vaccines frozen in Kibaale district at the office of the District Veterinary Officer. All these spoilt vaccines were quarantined at the district,” he said adding they did not impound them because the Ministry officials will audit it.
He also revealed that during their operation, his team discovered spoilt vaccines like 20,000 doses of IBD vaccine and 1500 Newcastle Disease vaccine (NCD) from private veterinary drug shops.
He added that they also discovered and impounded 71 batches of Vials of Norottraz in private drug shops which were not supposed to be on market since it was recalled by NDA in January this year.
Ssemakula added that they impounded unregistered products which included; 68 packets of Poultry Care Herbal products and 14 bottles of 100mls of calcium supplements.
During the operation, the team also confiscated certificates of in-charges of different drug shop facilities on allegation of relegating unqualified personnel to operate on their behalf.
He explained that the spoilt vaccines and veterinary drugs from private drug outlets will be destroyed while those impounded due to non-compliance will be returned to the owners after putting in place all the requirements.
“When these drugs are poorly stored, they get compromised. So whatever we found that was not stored to the required standards was impounded and what is funny is that the outlets we have been visiting, were sensitized but adamantly refused to comply; so we had no option but to withdraw the drugs and then we had to bring them for proper storage until those outlets comply to required standards.”
Jean Muhindo, NDA head of veterinary products said, all the impounded drugs were either found expired, poorly stored, stored in unsuitable premises or in ungazetted premises adding that NDA will continue with the operations to deal with non-compliant veterinary drug shop dealers among others.
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