By John Kusolo
KAMPALA CITY–National Drug Authority (NDA) has seen with concern a social media post with a photo of a juvenile who is claimed to be a victim of serious side effects of a paracetamol “written on P500” that is “very white and shiny.” The viral post has no information on who the victim is, where they are from or which hospital they are in or the quoted doctors, information that would be helpful in investigations.
What is clear is that paracetamol is one of the most used drugs every day in Uganda and if this was true that the paracetamol on the market was dangerous, we would have thousands of reactions across the country. This claim of Mapucho virus in paracetamol was circulated sometime back and now unknown originators have added a photo to cause unnecessary public panic.
We want to assure Ugandans that the paracetamol on the regulated market has undergone thorough our stringent regulatory processes and are safe. NDA continues to monitor the quality of all drugs on the market by sampling and testing them to ensure that they are as safe as they were released. Whenever we find any products with compromised quality or safety, we are the first ones to warn the public. We want to assure the public that NDA has a dedicated directorate for pharmacovigilance to investigate all adverse drug reactions and take appropriate regulatory action. We request the public to report to us any suspicious product on our toll-free line 0800 101 999 or WhatsApp line 0740 002 070.
For more information, please contact:
Abiaz Rwamwiri
Public Relations Manager
0784567474
HEAD OFFICE
Plot 93 Buganda Rd., P.O. Box 23096, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (+256) 417 788 100, Toll Free: 0800 101 999
Office Tel: 0740 002 068 (General), 0740 002 077 (Pharmacovigilance)
Website: www.nda.or.ug, Email: ndaug@nda.or.ug
Facebook: Uganda National Drug Authority
Twitter: @UNDAuthority
NATIONAL DRUG QUALITY CONTROL LABORATORY
Tel: (+256) 417 782 040, (+256) 414 383 955
OUR MISSION
To protect and promote human and animal health through the effective regulation of drugs and other health products.
REGIONAL OFFICES
Central Region, Akamwesi – Tel: (+256) 414 672 734
Western Region, Arua – Tel: (+256) 476 420 676
South Western Region, Mbarara – Tel: (+256) 485 421 312
South Eastern Region, Mbale – Tel: (+256) 454 422 176
Eastern Region, Soroti – Tel: (+256) 457 622 266
West Nile Region, Arua – Tel: (+256) 477 420 676
Kampala Extra Region – Tel: (+256) 477 420 676
This press release clarifies that the claim about paracetamol containing the "Mapucho" virus is false and assures the public of the safety and rigorous testing of regulated paracetamol in Uganda.
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