Earlier this week, the National Drug Authority was put on the spot by the Parliamentary Health Community over the fake Hepatitis B vaccines on the market. After the interface, a ban was imposed on Hepatitis B vaccine in private health facilities around the country. The Ministry of Health revealed that the preliminary investigations found that the fake vaccines were not harmful. “Already the information we have is that these vaccines; the falsified vaccines are not harmful but of course they are not going to protect you against this disease but they are not harmful to your health.” Said, Sarah Opendi – State Minister of Health, General Duties. “We are working in collaboration with World Health Organization because this is a very important public health matter and we are very sure that in an appropriate time, NDA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will give a statement on the content of the falsified vaccines that were given to the people of Uganda.” Said, Medard Bitekyerezo – Chairperson, National Drug Authority.
The Ministry has also revealed that some doctors steal government drugs which are then rebranded, this qualifies them as fakes though they are effective. “These vaccines, some of them have been stolen from the government of Uganda facilities. Implying that we have health workers who are conniving with these people in the private sector to sale or reap the government of the vaccines that it is supposed to provide free of charge to the population.” The State Minister of Health for General Duties Sarah Opendi explained the characteristics of the fake drug. “This is what was cleared by National Drug Authority for importation into the country. As you can clearly see, these are the purple lines am referring to. We also found these fake ones, falsified; you can see the purple, this is not purple, that is bluish, they don’t have batch numbers as you can see.”
After banning vaccinations in private health facilities, the government has come up with a list of those facilities excluded from the ban. “Nsambya hospital, Kibuli hospital, Mengo hospital, Lubaga hospital, International Hospital Kampala, Norvik hospital, CASE hospital and Nakaseero.” Hepatitis B vaccination health camps have also been banned. “The Ministry of Health has suspended Vaccination Camps for Hepatitis B by private providers until cleared by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, we want to request the DHOs and the RDCs to ensure that this directive is complied with.” As investigations continue, three people have been arrested and are still undergoing questioning. “So far some suspects have already been arrested and are currently under Police custody to assist in investigations while others have recorded statements at the respective Police Stations.”
However, the challenge that is remaining is ascertaining the source of these fake drugs. “When you try to call the numbers they are off. Some even trying to locate the place the offices of these Forever Green NDA could not find. And Kumate Diagnostics Ltd Kampala. So these are some of the documents we found from these clinics or hospitals upcountry where these people bought these vaccines from.” According to the Ministry of Health, all Hepatitis B drugs from the Seram Institute of India in private health facilities have been recalled.
