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October 30, 2002
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Uganda Faces Drug Shortages"
Africa News Service (www.allafrica.com) (10/28/02)
Competition and conflicting drug legislation in Uganda reportedly are pushing the National Medical Stores (NMS), which obtains and distributes drugs in Uganda, out of business. The NMS has already lost more than 75 percent of its market share to private businesses. With importers avoiding vaccines and other drugs that do not draw large profits, the disappearance of the NMS could mean a shortage of some essential drugs in the country. NMS general manager Robert Rutaagi asserts that he is not asking for government subsidies or changes to the new liberalization policies, but the NMS is demanding the clarification of drug legislation to avoid conflicting laws. The NMS is currently owed money by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Mulago Hospital, and others.
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