By Musa Mbogo
The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has closed its Annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) conference with a strong call for reforms in the pharmacy sector, as Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a looming crisis that could cripple Uganda’s healthcare system.
The two-day event organized by PSU to mark World Pharmacists Day started on Thursday with a CPD session and ended on Friday, 26th, with a General Meeting. It was held under the theme: “Transforming Pharmacy Practice in Uganda: From Compliance to Delivering Impact.”
The event brought together stakeholders from the pharmaceutical profession, the Ministry of Health, the National Drug Authority, and other partners.
Speaking as the guest of honor, Dr. Atwine cautioned that antibiotics are becoming ineffective due to misuse and overconsumption.
“Antimicrobial resistance means that the antibiotics we have on the market, the ones we use on a day-to-day basis, are no longer working. The bacteria have started changing, so now when you treat them, they don’t die,” she said.
She warned that the consequence is dire. “Someone takes antibiotics but nothing happens, the infection thrives, and in the end we lose people.”
Dr. Atwine noted that the few effective medicines left are scarce and unaffordable.
“The drugs that still work are extremely expensive, a dose can go for over one million shillings. Not many Ugandans can afford that, and most of these medicines are only found in a few big pharmacies in Kampala.”
She stressed that regulation must be enforced to stop reckless access to medicines.
“People just walk into pharmacies and buy any antibiotic, whether at the wrong dose or for a short time. That practice is fueling resistance. Pharmacies must stop dispensing antibiotics without a prescription,” she added.
Beyond AMR, Dr. Atwine urged pharmacists to take the lead in herbal medicine research and regulation:
“God has given us a lot of herbal medicines, but most of them are in the hands of people with no scientific knowledge. Some herbs are even toxic to the liver. We need pharmacists to research, document, and regulate these medicines properly.”
Jonan Tusimire, President of PSU, used the platform to demand that the Ministry of Health formally recognize specialized pharmacy practice and expand the pharmacy workforce.
“This is day five of our seven-day Pharmacy Week, and we are presenting to our members advancements in pharmacy practice. One of our key requests is for government to recognize pharmacy specializations—clinical pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacoeconomics—because these experts have now been trained.”
Tusimire explained that the health sector is lagging in absorbing the growing expertise.
“Right now the workforce is only 65% filled based on old structures. But pharmacy has evolved. Just as in medicine where a psychiatrist won’t deliver a baby, a pharmacist trained in industry shouldn’t be expected to run a community pharmacy. We need schemes of service to recognize this.”
He welcomed the PS’s willingness to collaborate.
“The PS was kind to us because she listened and agreed we could co-develop documents for specialized cadres. That recognition would allow clinical pharmacists, industrial pharmacists, and analysts to serve where their skills are most needed.”
Tusimire also echoed Atwine’s concern about AMR. “As PSU we have tried to fight antimicrobial resistance through awareness campaigns, but our efforts are undermined when patients demand antibiotics from one pharmacy to another until someone sells it to them. We are telling the community: self-medication is dangerous.”
He highlighted the potential of natural medicines citing that the are innovative products being made by universities and credible individuals.
“Herbal medicines provide a unique opportunity for Uganda to secure its pharmaceutical sovereignty. We now have innovative products coming from our universities and members, and if well regulated, they can transform the sector by 2040.”
PSU Secretary, Stephen Lutoti, emphasized the acute shortage of pharmacists in the country’s health facilities and urged the Ministry of Health to intervene.
“Our public health structure is so limited that getting a pharmacist at a district hospital is a miracle. We pray that your office supports local governments to recruit pharmacists in these settings.”
He stressed the need for clinical pharmacists to be recognized in hospital practice:
“Managing a patient is teamwork. Just as you need a medical officer, you also need a pharmacist on the ward to ensure medicines are used correctly.”
Lutoti argued that specialization should be part of career growth.
“A clinical pharmacist may focus on geriatrics, another on cardiology, another on gynecology. We strongly believe it is possible to have consultant pharmacists in these fields, but only if the Ministry expedites schemes of service.”
He also called for structured career paths to retain talent.
“We have 2,061 members and over 188 new graduates this year, but many lack clear career progression. We need a roadmap that recognizes pharmacists across specializations, supply chain, and hospital settings.”
The PSU pledged to continue working with the Ministry of Health and the National Drug Authority to strengthen regulation, expand the workforce, and promote research into both conventional and herbal medicines.
Dr. Atwine reminded pharmacists of their central role calling them to protect the public from harmful medicines.
“Our duty is to protect the public from medicines that injure them. As pharmacists, you are the frontline in ensuring Uganda does not lose the war against antimicrobial resistance.”
