KAMPALA – The National Drug Authority (NDA) has addressed recent media reports concerning the contamination of animal products and feeds with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
ARVs are medications used to manage HIV in patients, inhibiting various stages of the virus’s life cycle, preventing replication and further spread.
In a press release issued on September 7th, 2023, NDA responded to allegations that it was aware of ARV contamination in animal feeds but did not disclose this information due to concerns about Uganda’s economic interests in animal exports.
Mr. Abiaz Rwamwiri, the NDA Spokesperson, clarified that NDA’s primary mandate is the regulation of drugs, not food or animal feeds. However, due to reports of ARV misuse, especially in feeding pigs and chickens, NDA initiated investigations.
Acknowledging their findings confirmed ARV usage, Rwamwiri assured the public that the contamination levels were too low to pose a significant public health threat.
Rwamwiri revealed that they had taken action against the sources of ARVs and other drugs used in animal feeds.
This proactive stance resulted in numerous arrests and the prosecution of those responsible.The reports of ARV use emerged primarily among broiler farmers in Kampala and pig and broiler farms in Wakiso district.
The key contributing factors were identified as a lack of high-quality animal feeds and the absence of efficient vaccines against Newcastle disease in chickens and African swine fever in pigs.
CUE IN RWAMWIRI……ON THE ISSUE….RR/ENG//
