KAMPALA, Uganda — More than 100 pharmacy students from five major universities in Uganda have petitioned Parliament, arguing that the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda is overstepping its authority by regulating pre-internship exams. The students claim the exams are an illegal hurdle preventing qualified graduates from entering the profession.
The petition was submitted by students from Makerere, Mbarara University, Kampala International, Cavendish and Victoria universities. They contend that the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda lacks a legal mandate to create and enforce these exams, and that the practice undermines the authority of accredited universities and government bodies like the National Council for Higher Education and the Ministry of Education.
The students are demanding that the Uganda Pharmacy Council, which they say is the legally mandated body, take over these regulatory functions.
Youth MP for Northern Uganda Boniface Okot received the petition on behalf of Speaker Anita Among. “Parliament will consider the whole process in processing this petition,” Okot said.
According to parliamentary procedures, the relevant committee will have 45 days to investigate the matter. The outcome could significantly impact the future of pharmacy students and the regulation of the pharmaceutical industry in Uganda.
