Patrick Jaramogi
17 December 2011
THE National Drug Authority (DNA) has described the influx of counterfeit and unregistered medicines in the country as “very worrying”.
The counterfeits currently circulating in the market are mainly from Kenyan manufacturers.
The NDA Chief executive Gordon Sematiko Katende said that the fake medicines intercepted include Quinine Bisulphate 300mg tablets claimed to be manufactured by Laboratory and Allied Limited of Kenya.
“Others are Quinine Sulphate 300mg tablets claimed to be from Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited in India.
Metakelfin 500mg tablets from Pharmacia Italy and the outlawed Maxaquin 4% injection 30ml manufactured by Mac’s Pharmaceuticals in Kenya,” said Sematiko.
Sematiko who addressed the press at the NDA offices on Friday urged the public to be vigilant and observant.
He urged Ugandans to only purchase medicine from registered and licensed drug shops. He said other drugs recovered in the operation held in Kampala and surrounding cities also included Bioquin (chloroquine) 250mg tablets claimed to be manufactured by Biodeal laboratories in Kenya and Methomine tablets made by Universal Corporation in Kenya and Emoquin tablets made by Elys Chemical Industries in Kenya.
“The medicines are not manufactured by the purported manufacturers on the label but by unscrupulous individuals intending to cheat the public at the expense of their health. The medicines are dangerous and are likely to cause harm to anyone who consumes them,” Sematiko warned.
He appealed to the general public to be vigilant and report anyone involved in sale of the above medicines by calling the NDA hotline 0776110008.
He pointed out that three persons had been arrested in Kampala in connection with counterfeits recovered worth Shs15m.
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