The National Medical Stores (NMS) General Manager, Moses Kamabare has revealed that the organisation does not deliver expired medicines.
Kamabare made the remarks on Sunday during an online chat show hosted by Sheila Nduhukire.
“We cannot deliver expired medicines. Our system makes expired drugs inaccessible in our warehouse. I challenge you to give us an example where NMS has delivered expired drugs,” Kamabare said.
NMS procures, stores and distributes essential medicines and medical supplies to health facilities in Uganda.
Commenting on Uganda’s capacity to store the Pfizer vaccine, Kamabare said, with help from GAVI, its capacity can be boosted to store sought after jab.
“Our warehouse facilities have the capacity to store Pfizer vaccines. Pfizer is stored at-70 degrees. We are already storing Ebola vaccines at – 80 degrees centigrade. Yes, we can store Pfizer. But that’s a decision which has to be made at the highest level,” Kamabare said.
He added that the next batch of vaccines expected to arrived at the end of July or early next month, are co-funded by the government.
Kamabare implored Ugandans to concentrate on preventive measures instead of waiting for curative action given the country’s limited resources.