A new programme to help curb disparities in drug shop operations, especially in rural areas has been launched. The ministry of Health and the National Drug Authority last week launched the ADS (Accredited Drug Shop) logo, which will be used to help clients access the right medication.

Although there are existing drug shops that the National Drug Authority recognizes, the body also knows that there are several problems associated with drug shop operations, hence the need to intervene.

The project is part of the wider East African Drug Seller Initiative (EADSI). The major objective is to ensure that individuals can access safe and quality medicines from drug shops that have trained personnel.

The programme will among other things expand the range of basic medicines including some prescription drugs that are allowed to be sold in accredited drug shops. As such, drug shop attendants and owners in the pilot district of Kibaale have been trained in pharmaceutical management and care.

The National Drug Authority in collaboration with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) will also, according to NDA's Kate Kikule, strengthen its partnership with local governments and train local drug monitors to report inappropriate behaviour of drug sellers to the regulatory body for possible action.

Increasingly more Ugandans have taken to self-medication owing to mainly financial constraints and many end up never completing doses, the ADS, have been tasked to among other things ensure that their clients understand appropriate use of medicines.