Kampala – The Government of Uganda has presented the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, 2025 for its First Reading in Parliament, a landmark step toward transforming the country’s regulation of medicines and health products.
The Bill was tabled by Hon. Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, Minister of State for Health (General Duties), on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, during a plenary sitting chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Thursday, 4 September 2025.
Addressing Outdated Drug Law from 1993
According to Hon. Kawooya, the proposed legislation will replace the outdated National Drug Policy and Authority Act of 1993, which has failed to keep pace with technological advancements, global health standards, and the growing complexity of the healthcare sector.
“The 1993 law is outdated. With new technologies, evolving health professions, and World Health Organization (WHO) standards, our regulatory framework must modernize,” she explained.
Strengthening Public Health Protection
Kawooya emphasized that the Bill seeks to close regulatory gaps that have left citizens exposed to unsafe products. Currently, the law does not cover pharmacies in health facilities, vaccine lot releases, drug recalls, illegal drug shops, cosmetics, medical devices, or nutritional supplements.
“Our citizens face risks from unregulated drugs, cosmetics, and devices. This Bill equips Uganda to regulate, test, and recall harmful products, safeguarding public health,” she added.
Key Features of the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill
If passed, the Bill will:
- Establish the National Drug and Health Products Authority to oversee all aspects of drug and health product regulation.
- Expand oversight to include drug registration, manufacturing, distribution, import and export, pharmacies, and vaccine lot releases.
- Strengthen pharmacovigilance and clinical trial regulation for manufacturers, health professionals, and regulatory bodies.
- Extend regulation to medical devices, including classification, licensing, and defect reporting.
- Introduce clear standards for cosmetics and nutritional supplements, particularly products containing parabens, phthalates, hydroquinone, retinoids, and sunscreens.
- Empower the authority with enforcement powers to recall unsafe products and penalize illegal practices.
Next Steps in Parliament
Speaker Anita Among referred the Bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Health for scrutiny under Rule 135, urging lawmakers to expedite its review.
If enacted, the Bill will repeal the 1993 Act and consolidate Uganda’s health product regulation under a single, robust authority with expanded powers to protect public health and align the country with international standards.
Why This Bill Matters
Public health experts have long called for reforms to strengthen Uganda’s ability to detect, regulate, and recall harmful health products. By modernizing the legal framework, Uganda will be better positioned to safeguard citizens against counterfeit drugs, unsafe cosmetics, and poorly regulated medical devices
Source : Parliament of Uganda
