Kampala — Members of Parliament have tasked the National Drug Authority (NDA) to eliminate junk drugs that have flooded Uganda's market.

"We appreciate the role you are doing but we are chocking with fake drugs. What are you doing to eliminate these junk drugs?" asked Reagan Okumu, the chairperson of the commissions statutory authorities and state enterprise committee.

The committee made the appeal during a tour of NDA offices, laboratory and ports of entry on Tuesday.

Okumu said the committee has a task to ensure that government enterprises compete favourably with private entities.

The 11 legislators also queried the quality of drugs from India. "How safe are the drugs from India? If they serve the same purpose, why is it that those from the UK are more expensive?" asked Tom Butime (NRM).

The drug authority executive secretary, Apollo Muhairwe, said NDA carries out tests on drugs imported in the country.

"As per our tests, the drugs from India and the UK have the same contents, but we can't do much regarding price variations," he said.

Muhairwe said NDA was having difficulties doing their work due to inadequate funding and insufficient manpower.

"We have now set up the foods desk which will soon regulate food standards," said Muhairwe.

He warned that unlicenced drug shops would be closed and fake doctors arrested.

"Help us and report those who sell drugs without our licenses. We have only 5,000 licensed drug shops but we feel there are about 10,000 more," he said.

Moyo Woman MP Ann Amuro wondered why drugs take too long to reach districts.

"Drugs are requested for in December but they arrive in March. They then get finished within two weeks. Can you explain that?" she asked.

Muhairwe said drug distribution was the mandate of the National Medical Stores.

The NDA board chairpeson, Dr. Frank Mwesigye, urged the committee to help NDA secure more funds if its activities are to be conducted well.

The committee also visited the NDA quality control laboratory in Mulago, the central region office in Nakawa, as well as pharmacies and drug shops in Jinja, Tororo and Busia.