The drug, which is sold under the brand name Appealyte WSP, is neither registered for sale in Uganda nor safe for use, according to New Vision. This was disclosed by the inspector of drugs, Dr Bernard Sibwomu.

He said: "We discovered the drug is being sold illegally on the market and we are investigating its source."

Mr Sibwomu also said the public had responded well to a recent ban on a class of veterinary drugs known as nitrofurans, which are shown to cause cancer and genetic disorders in humans.

The blacklisted drugs are Cospro-F, Neoceryl, Fura Powder 30% w/w, Fuzol Water Dispersible Granules and Fuzol suspension.

Four of the banned drugs are manufactured in Kenya, while Fura Powder 30% w/w is manufactured in Holland, but is not used in Uganda.

Mr Sibwomu said nitrofurans stay in the body tissue and eggs of birds long after their usage, posing a health risk to humans who consume them.

The danger posed by the use of the drugs was raised in September last year and their importation was banned.

Mr Sibwomu advised farmers to seek guidance from veterinary doctors on the use of alternative drugs.

NDA spokesman, Fredrick Sekyana, said the body was working with district leaders to enforce the ban and sensitise the public on the dangers of the banned drugs.

Nitrofuran veterinary antibiotics have been banned in the European Union (EU), the US, South America and Asian countries.

According to New Vision, the EU banned the drugs in 1990 and classified them among the pharmacologically active substances for which no maximum residue limits can be fixed. The US Food and Drug Administration prohibited furaltadone since February 1985, and withdrew the approval of the other nitrofuran drugs in 1992, except for topical use. Australia prohibited the use of nitrofurans in food production in 1992, while Thailand banned them in 2002.

Further Reading

-

Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.