New pharmacy board tasked with ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical laws

The State Minister for Health in Charge of General Duties, Anifa Kawooya, has charged the newly inaugurated 5th Pharmacy Board of Uganda with overseeing the regulation and practice of pharmacy in the country.

Kawooya urged the nine-member board to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical laws and to address concerns related to the quality and safety of medicines.

She expressed confidence in the board, chaired by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa, noting that their experience and expertise will contribute significantly to advancing pharmaceutical care in Uganda.

"The standards you set today must be a milestone for future boards," Kawooya said, emphasizing the importance of integrity and teamwork.

She highlighted the board’s crucial role in ensuring public safety by regulating the pharmaceutical sector, reminding members that breaches of their oath could lead to legal consequences.

Dr. Mwebesa, the newly appointed chair, will lead the board in regulating pharmaceutical practices and overseeing the registration of pharmacists for a three-year term.

Ayebare Tumwebaze, who administered the oath of office, stressed the legal and moral obligations attached to it.

“The oath is a declaration to your God, pledging to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to you," Tumwebaze stated, warning that failure to adhere could result in prosecution.

In his address, Dr. Mwebesa pledged to continue the registration of pharmacies, a key aspect of the board's mandate.

With 1,061 pharmacies already registered, he reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring professionalism in the sector and expressed gratitude for the Minister’s support.

The new board will also be responsible for overseeing pharmacy education, registering professionals, and addressing misconduct within the industry.