National Medical Store Blames Weak Laws for Persistent Drug Theft

The National Medical Store (NMS) faces challenges in combating drug theft due to the lack of stringent penalties, despite an increased budget.

KAMPALA, UGANDA – The National Medical Store (NMS) has identified the lack of a stringent law to penalise offenders as a major obstacle in the fight against the theft of drugs. Despite the government increasing its budget to 117 billion shillings this financial year, drug theft remains a significant challenge, hampering the entity's ability to supply medicine across the country.

Speaking at a press conference at the Media Centre, Dr Naamara Warren, the Director of Health Services at State House, revealed that numerous cases have been reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, the progress of these cases is often frustrated when the culprits are granted bail.

Dr. Naamara cited instances where the entity recovered 6.2 billion shillings in 2021 and 2 billion shillings in 2022, but these efforts are being undermined by syndicated corruption. He confessed that nurses and pharmacists are often the ones involved in the theft of drugs.

Meanwhile, the NMS Managing Director, Moses Kamabaale, emphasised that as an entity, they have submitted a draft National Medical Stores Bill to the Ministry of Health. The proposed legislation aims to close loopholes in the existing law by introducing stricter penalties for culprits.

In a related appeal, Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituume urged the public to cooperate with police operations against drug theft, citing Article 212 of the Police Act, which requires public collaboration in the interest of society. Rusoke, however, highlighted the challenge of witnesses being bribed to withdraw from cases, which subsequently frustrates investigations.

The Director General of the National Medical Store, Dr Charles Opolot, mentioned the introduction of an integrated system designed to ensure a steady supply of drugs to patients. Dr Opolot also took the opportunity to remind pregnant mothers that the entity supplies Mama Kits only at the time of delivery, and not during antenatal visits.