Observe drug donation procedure

The National Drug Authority (NDA) was established with a mandate to ensure availability of essential, efficacious and cost effective drugs at all times to the entire population of Uganda as a means of providing satisfactory healthcare.

More than a week ago, there was talk on delay of release of drug donation consignments from India. NDA has the mandate of ensuring that medicines available or brought in the country are of good quality, safe and efficacious for use by the population.

From March to September 2018, NDA released 178 consignments of drug donations. All recipient institutions of drug donations are required to inform NDA of such need. Donated drugs should be based on a specific needs expressed by the receiving body or health facility.

The range of drugs and their quantities are clearly stated and related to the population to be served and the type of health facilities to manage the donation.

It is important for the public to appreciate the Drug Donations Procedure as outlined:
The donations must be subjected to the Verification of Drug Imports procedure where an original proforma invoice for the consignment of drugs to be imported is presented to NDA for assessment and payment. The local technical representative endorses on the pro-forma invoice if the drugs are registered.

A verification of submitted documentation is carried out to ensure compliance with NDA requirements. The verification import certificate is issued. On arrival at the ports of entry, the drug consignment is inspected by NDA to ensure that it complies with the earlier approved specifications and regulations before release for use by the population.

The medicines should be contained in the current edition of the Essential Drugs List of Uganda or the current edition of the Uganda National Formulary or its provisional lists.

They should have a shelf life of at least one year after arrival in Uganda, with exception of vaccines or other biological products which should have at least three quarters of their stated shelf life remaining upon arrival.

Once again, NDA would like to assure the population that it is committed to providing the highest possible standard of healthcare to the entire population of Uganda through access to quality and safe medicines.
Frederick Ssekyana,
[email protected]