Uganda’s Current Policies and Regulations on Antimicrobial Stewardship for Human Health, Animal Health, and Agriculture

The NAP is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program. The NAP focuses on promoting and strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and multisectoral coordination to contain AMR. The program has supported the Government of Uganda in implementing strategic actions in the NAP and responding to disease outbreaks. The goal is to implement the NAP nationwide, down to the facility level, and to raise the Joint External Evaluation (JEE-2) scores for AMR to meet the priorities of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and obtain a higher score on the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmarks for International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities. The NAP has identified key areas for improvement, including the need for better regulation and enforcement of antimicrobial use, improved surveillance and monitoring of AMR, and enhanced education and training for healthcare professionals. The program has also emphasized the importance of multisectoral coordination and collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and the private sector to address the complex issues surrounding AMR. The MTaPS Program has supported the development of policies and guidelines for antimicrobial use in human and animal health, including the National Drug Policy and Authority (NDA) and the National Veterinary Drug Policy (NVDP). The program has also provided technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to strengthen its pharmaceutical systems, including the National Drug Authority (NDA) and the National Medical Stores (NMS). The NAP has established a number of key committees and working groups to oversee the implementation of the plan, including the National AMR Sub-committee, the Medicines and Therapeutics Committee (MTC), and the Crop Protection Board (CPB). These committees will work together to develop and implement policies and guidelines for antimicrobial use, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the NAP, and provide technical assistance and support to healthcare professionals and farmers. The NAP has also emphasized the importance of public awareness and education about the risks of AMR and the need for responsible antimicrobial use. The program has developed a number of educational materials and resources for healthcare professionals, farmers, and the general public, including posters, brochures, and videos. Overall, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Stewardship for Human Health, Animal Health, and Agriculture in Uganda aims to address the growing concern of AMR in the country by promoting and strengthening AMS and multisectoral coordination. The program has established a number of key committees and working groups to oversee the implementation of the plan, and has developed a number of educational materials and resources to raise awareness about the risks of AMR and the need for responsible antimicrobial use. The Uganda Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has established standards for the quality and safety of antimicrobial medicines, including the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP). The National Drug Authority (NDA) has also established guidelines for the registration and licensing of antimicrobial medicines, including the requirements for labeling and packaging. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed guidelines for the use of antimicrobial medicines in human health, including the National Clinical Guidelines (UCG) and the Essential Drugs List for Uganda (EDLU). The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has also developed guidelines for the use of antimicrobial medicines in animal health, including the National Veterinary Drug Policy (NVDP) and the National Veterinary Formulary (NVF). The Joint Medical Stores (JMS) has established a system for the procurement and distribution of antimicrobial medicines, including the National Medical Stores (NMS) and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA). The National Drug Authority (NDA) has also established a system for the regulation and enforcement of antimicrobial use, including the inspection and monitoring of healthcare facilities and the enforcement of laws and regulations. The Crop Protection Board (CPB) has developed guidelines for the use of antimicrobial medicines in crop protection, including the requirements for labeling and packaging. The Allied Health Professionals Council (HC2, HC3) has also developed guidelines for the use of antimicrobial medicines in allied health professions, including the requirements for training and education. The National Council for Higher Education (NCE) has established standards for the education and training of healthcare professionals, including the requirements for antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance. The Pharmacovigilance (PV) has also established a system for the monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse drug events (ADEs). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to strengthen its