Ministry of health orders Allied Health Professionals Council to stop licensing drug shops

The Ministry of Health has directed the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) to immediately stop licensing drug shops, clarifying that the responsibility for regulating and licensing premises dealing in medicines rests solely with the National Drug Authority (NDA).

The directive, issued by Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine in a letter dated June 11, 2026, follows a dispute over the continued registration and licensing of drug shops by the AHPC despite an earlier resolution by health sector regulators instructing the council to halt the practice.

The Ministry’s guidance comes after AHPC sought clarification on whether it could continue licensing drug shops operated by dispensers under provisions of the Allied Health Professionals Act.

NDA Declared Sole Authority

In her communication to the AHPC Chairperson, Dr. Atwine emphasized that the recently enacted National Drug and Health Products Authority Act, 2026, grants the NDA exclusive authority to regulate the quality, safety, distribution and sale of medicines in Uganda.

“Section 29 of the Act requires all premises dealing in drugs to obtain a Certificate of Suitability of Premises and a license issued by NDA,” Dr. Atwine stated.

She explained that while the Allied Health Professionals Council has a mandate to regulate allied health practitioners, it does not have legal authority to regulate drugs or license premises where medicines are sold.

“The Allied Health Professionals Act empowers AHPC to regulate the practice of allied health professionals, not the products or premises where drugs are sold. Licensing drug shops is therefore outside AHPC’s mandate,” she said.

The Ministry further cited the Court of Appeal decision in *CISE Dispensers (U) Ltd versus Executive Secretary, National Drug Authority* as reinforcing this legal position.

Immediate Directives

The Ministry outlined several directives intended to bring the licensing process in line with existing laws.

Under the new guidance, AHPC must cease and desist from licensing drug shops or any premises dealing in medicines.

The Ministry also clarified that allied health professionals who wish to operate drug shops remain eligible to do so, but must first obtain approval from the National Drug Authority, including a Certificate of Suitability of Premises and a valid drug shop licence following inspection.

Dr. Atwine warned that any allied health professional or health unit found in possession of drugs without NDA authorization would be considered to be operating illegally.

“Any supplier providing drugs to such units without NDA authorization is also acting unlawfully,” she added.

Background to the Dispute

The latest directive follows months of disagreement between the AHPC, the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU), and health sector regulators over who should regulate drug shops operated by dispensers.

In a letter dated April 16, 2026, AHPC Registrar Peter Nyamutale informed the Ministry that the Council had resolved to continue registering and licensing drug shops until it received formal written guidance from the Ministry of Health.

The decision came despite a February 11, 2026 meeting involving regulatory councils, authorities and senior Ministry officials, which had resolved that AHPC should halt registration of drug shops pending clarification of its mandate.

AHPC argued that Section 28(a) of the Allied Health Professionals Act gave it powers to continue licensing dispensers operating drug shops and sought ministerial guidance on the matter.

Implications for Drug Shop Operators

The Ministry’s ruling is expected to affect hundreds of dispensers and drug shop operators across the country who have relied on AHPC licensing arrangements.

Health sector stakeholders say the clarification will help eliminate regulatory overlaps and strengthen oversight of medicines by ensuring that all drug outlets operate under a single regulatory framework.

The directive also provides certainty for dispensers by confirming that they can continue to apply for drug shop licences through the National Drug Authority, provided they meet the established regulatory requirements.

PSU Welcomes Clarification

The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, which has consistently argued that drug regulation falls under NDA’s mandate, is expected to welcome the Ministry’s position.

The issue has been a source of tension within Uganda’s health regulatory landscape, with concerns raised about patient safety, professional accountability and the need for clear regulatory boundaries among health sector institutions.

Observers say the Ministry’s intervention could pave the way for stronger coordination among health professional councils and regulatory agencies while ensuring that the licensing and regulation of medicines remain under a single authority.

The Ministry has copied the guidance to the Minister of Health, Ministers of State for Health, the Director General of Health Services, the National Drug Authority, the Allied Health Professionals Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, signaling its intention to ensure sector-wide compliance with the directive.