National Drug Authority scoops the Uganda Responsible investment award
Drake Nyamugabwa
National Drug Authority (NDA) has been recognized for the second time as one of the best 2022 UGANDA RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD by His excellence Y.K. Kaguta, President of the Republic of Uganda at the Awards event held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Saturday 3, December 2022.
The recognition according to Dr. David Nahamya, Secretary to the Authority is attributed to the good performance on delivery on its core regulatory functions, among the key functions is the control and promotion of the domestic pharmaceutical industry as a means of ensuring sustainable supply of quality essential medicines to the people of Uganda.
NDA has licensed 45 domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers to improve local production, and also notified 250 herbal medicine products.
The statement indicates that the growth in the domestic pharmaceutical sector has contributed to sustainable and local supply of affordable and quality essential medicines, thereby ensuring the population has immediate access to these medicines at an affordable price, while at the same time reducing the heavy reliance on importation of pharmaceuticals, and the related trade deficit imbalance and outflow of foreign currency
Other milestones includes the following: promotion and support of local production of pharmaceuticals through several initiatives including; Providing technical support to local manufacturer, Routine GMP inspections to drive continual improvement, Zero taxes on importation of raw materials and equipment among others.
“Our support has seen improvement and increase in the number of licensed local manufacturing facilities from 14 in 2016 to 45 in 2022 (19 human products, 4 veterinary products including acaricides and veterinary vaccines, 5 herbal / therapeutic foods and 17 surgical instruments & appliances, such as gloves, medical masks and medical oxygen)” the statement reads in part.
NDA is the center of excellence for Good Manufacturing Practice Inspection in the East African Community in pursuance to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention Scheme (PIC/S).
NDA’s Laboratory tower is under construction to enhance the capacity and range of testing services that NDA for medical devices, impurities, and vaccine testing aimed at ensuring that Ugandan citizens access good quality medicines.
The award event is dedicated to recognizing and publicizing best companies working towards attainment of Uganda Vision 2040 and UN Sustainable Development goals through offering high quality products and services paying taxes, employing Ugandans, respect for rights of workers, supporting productive corporate social responsibility, and environment protection among others.
