Licensing dispute rocks health sector as AHPC halts drug shop approvals
Health experts warn that uncoordinated licensing could create confusion in the sector, weaken oversight, and compromise standards in drug distribution, particularly in rural and underserved areas where drug shops play a critical role in primary healthcare. The NDA has traditionally been mandated to license and inspect drug outlets, ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical standards, while bodies like AHPC and PSU regulate professional conduct.
A regulatory dispute within Uganda’s health sector has intensified after the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) suspended its licensing of drug shops following concerns raised by industry stakeholders and the Ministry of Health.
In a letter dated April 2, 2026, addressed to the Ministry of Health Uganda, AHPC clarified that it had begun registering and licensing drug shops in July 2025, citing its mandate under the Allied Health Professionals Act.
The council said the move was based on a resolution passed during its July 18, 2025 meeting, allowing it to license drug shops under Section 28(a) of the law. However, the decision appears to have clashed with existing arrangements within the sector.
AHPC Deputy Registrar, Bernard Bagaya, confirmed that the council had already licensed a number of drug shops before halting the process in line with guidance from the ministry.
“We halted the licensure… and the Ministry of Health directive will be communicated to dispensers as well as stakeholders,” the council said in its statement.
Sector Disagreement
The controversy was triggered by a formal complaint from the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU), which accused AHPC of defying earlier guidance issued during a February 11, 2026 meeting convened by the ministry.
In a March 31 letter, PSU Secretary Stephen Lutoti argued that it had been agreed that the National Drug Authority (NDA) should remain solely responsible for licensing drug shops and pharmacies, while professional councils focus on regulating practitioners.
“Despite your guidance… AHPC have defied that guidance and are continuing to license drug shops,” the PSU wrote, urging the ministry to issue a formal directive to ensure coordination across regulators.
Patient Safety Concerns
The dispute has raised broader concerns about regulatory overlap and its potential impact on patient safety and service delivery.
Health experts warn that uncoordinated licensing could create confusion in the sector, weaken oversight, and compromise standards in drug distribution, particularly in rural and underserved areas where drug shops play a critical role in primary healthcare.
The NDA has traditionally been mandated to license and inspect drug outlets, ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical standards, while bodies like AHPC and PSU regulate professional conduct.
Awaiting Government Direction
The Ministry of Health is now expected to provide clear guidance to harmonise roles among regulators and prevent duplication of responsibilities.
Stakeholders say the outcome will be crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring that drug shops, often the first point of care for many Ugandans, operate under consistent and enforceable standards.
For now, AHPC’s decision to halt licensing signals a temporary de-escalation, but the episode highlights deeper structural tensions within Uganda’s health regulatory framework that may require policy clarification.
