The Ministry of Health in Uganda has said that it is investigating some companies over the supply of Hepatitis B vaccines to private health facilities, believed to be “fake”.
The government has now halted Hepatitis B vaccination in some private health facilities and suspended medical camps sponsored by private health providers, according to local media Daily Monitor.
The health minister in charge of general duties Sarah Opendi is quoted as saying that “The general public is encouraged to receive Hepatitis B vaccination from only the accredited private facilities and government facilities as investigations into the matter take course.”
Opendi told journalists in Kampala “We shall advise the public on the other facilities that have been cleared for Hepatitis B vaccination in two weeks.”
The health minister also said that the government has recalled all the 10ml vials of Hepatitis B vaccines from the Serum Institute of India from all private facilities and also provided a toll free telephone of 0800-100-066 for the public to report suspected vaccines.
The fake vaccines were discovered during routine checks at facilities in four districts.
Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA), which is investigating the matter said the products suspected to be “fake” were found in eight hospitals and clinics across Kampala.
The Daily Monitor has also reported that the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN) Africa “has tasked government to explain the source of the fake Hepatitis B vaccines and how they were imported into the country”.
A Ugandan lawmaker died of complications related to Hepatitis B last year, which has brought more attention to the virus that attacks the liver and can cause chronic illness.
Source: Africafeeds.com
