The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has clarified that under the newly enacted National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, 2025, only qualified and registered pharmacists are authorized to supervise pharmaceutical production.
In a statement, PSU Secretary Dr. Stephen Lutoti dismissed claims that the law excludes pharmaceutical scientists, calling such narratives “misleading.”
“There is nothing like leaving out a qualifying pharmaceutical scientist. Any person whose training meets the minimum standards for a pharmacy degree is eligible for registration as a pharmacist in Uganda,” Dr. Lutoti said.
PSU, the national professional body established under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, welcomed Parliament’s passage of the new law, noting that it strengthens the regulation of medicines and health products in the country.
Dr. Lutoti explained that the updated legal framework addresses gaps that have previously hindered Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) from achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status.
“The new law has removed loopholes in the existing system, making it possible for Uganda to attain WHO Maturity Level 3—a mark of a stable and well-functioning regulatory system,” he said.
Under Clause 31 of the new law, supervision of drug production must be conducted by a registered pharmacist. According to PSU, pharmacists are uniquely trained across disciplines including pharmaceutics, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical medicine, equipping them to oversee the entire lifecycle of a drug from formulation to patient use.
“Safe and effective medicines do not happen by chance. They are the result of strict systems, scientific discipline, and professional accountability,” Dr. Lutoti emphasized.
While chemists, engineers, and biotechnologists play critical roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, they operate under the leadership of a pharmacist to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
Individuals who do not meet pharmacist registration requirements can still contribute as technicians in drug production and analysis but must undergo additional training to qualify for supervisory roles.
“Pharmacist supervision is not about limiting participation—it is about ensuring leadership by the most appropriately trained professional,” Dr. Lutoti added.
PSU also encouraged all eligible scientists to apply for registration and membership, stressing that doing so will strengthen Uganda’s pharmaceutical sector and enhance public trust in locally manufactured medicines.
