The National Drug Authority says more than 1,000 litres of suspected counterfeit medical solutions were recovered in Kampala, with the products allegedly destined for health facilities across Uganda.
The National Drug Authority (NDA) has arrested two suspects over the alleged manufacture and distribution of counterfeit medical solutions used in surgical procedures and wound dressing, raising concerns about patient safety in health facilities across Uganda.
The suspects, identified as Ssali Rodney and Otanga Cornerious, were arrested during an operation targeting premises in Lugala and Prime Complex on Wilson Road in Kampala.
The operation, conducted by NDA officials with support from the Police Intelligence Unit, led to the recovery of more than 1,000 litres of suspected counterfeit medical solutions allegedly intended for distribution to clinics and hospitals across the country.
According to the NDA, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly mixed different chemicals to manufacture the substances before repackaging them to resemble medical products approved by the authority.
The products were reportedly being supplied to health facilities, including some major clinics, for use in operating theatres and wound treatment.
NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri warned that the suspected counterfeit products could pose serious health risks, particularly when used during surgical procedures or on wounds.
“These substances are extremely dangerous when used in surgical operations or for wound dressing,” Rwamwiri said, urging health workers to ensure that medical products used on patients meet the required safety standards.
The authority also accused the suspects of smuggling medical supplies from Kenya and selling them to local health facilities without the necessary authorisation.
Rwamwiri said the NDA was preparing to intensify inspections at health facilities suspected of using the products to establish how widely they had been distributed and prevent further exposure of patients to potentially harmful substances.
“We are launching a crackdown on health facilities that have been using these products because of the serious health risks they pose to the public,” he said.
The NDA also urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing medicines and medical supplies, advising them to obtain products from authorised sources and report suspicious items to the relevant authorities.
The suspects are being held at Kampala Central Police Station as investigations continue. They are expected to appear before the Utility Court to face charges relating to the alleged distribution of harmful medical products and other suspected offences.
Investigators are continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify health facilities that may have received the suspected counterfeit products.