By Derrick Omoding.
The task force has so far impounded a total number of 124 boxes of expired drugs valued at shs. 40 Million, including 408 doses of Atefan, antimalarial government drugs believed to have been stolen from the government facilities within the region.
During the weeks operation in the region, several packets of Atefan totaling upto 408 doses were impounded from Asimz Pharmacy Ltd located along Edau Road, Angopet Cell in Kumi municipality, but the bug question remains on who sneacks the drugs from the hospital stores to the private clinics.
The senior health officials in the region believe that the drugs could have been stolen from the lower health facilities that have been consecutively been broken by unknown thieves suspected to be carrying out the transactions with drug shops and Pharmacy operators.
According to the NDA regional Manager Dr. Padde Musa, theft of government drugs still remains critical in Teso Sub – region however, Intelligence remains their challenge as the suspects collaborate with some members of the public.
He revealed that in Teso Sub – region alone, 40 cases of government drug theft and illegal sale have been filed; however, 15 of them have been successfully prosecuted and sentenced to jail, while others are still under investigations.
On the same note, the authority has also tightened on the unqualified personnel and the illegal drug outlets in the region.
The operation as well swept out a total of 53 drug outlets that were operating without licenses and unqualified personnel including two pharmacies in Kumi district.
Dr. Kyomukama Samuel the head of enforcement reported that a total of 240 boxes of assorted medicines worth exceeding 40 Million Uganda Shillings were impounded, while two hawkers were also arrested selling human medicine in the shift Markets of Kasilo and Katine.
Meanwhile the Soroti district Resident Commissioner Mr. Salim Kumaketch warned the public to desist from dealing with non certified herbalists currently selling drugs on streets.