Explainer: Why is there a dispute among leadership of Uganda’s Pharmaceutical Society?

A major dispute among the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has lately arisen over the placement of medical interns for internships.

In a report by monitor.co.ug, the President of PSU Dr Pamela Achii, rejected a recent notice issued by the Society’s Secretary which called upon undeployed intern pharmacists to seek private internship placements. According to the report by local media, Dr Achii stated that the notice, which suggested an alternative route to placement amid ongoing financial constraints within the government, was not endorsed by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, describing it as the “opinion of an individual” rather than the official position of the Society.

Dr Achii emphasised that the deployment of medical interns is the prerogative of the Ministry of Health.

She expressed concerns that allowing PSU to independently manage intern placements would lead to disarray and potential exploitation of the interns. Dr Achii highlighted the critically important role of the internship committee within the Ministry, responsible for issuing completion letters for internships, asserting that the deployment process should involve their oversight to ensure its integrity.

“Deployment of medical interns is supposed to be done by the Ministry of Health. If we start deploying interns [as PSU Council] it can be a mess, cause exploitation, and also, it is the internship committee [at the Ministry of Health] that issues the internship completion letter and this means they have to be involved in the deployment process,” she was quoted to have said by Monitor.

In contrast, Dr Stephen Lutoti, the Secretary of PSU, defended the issuance of the notice, asserting that it was an operational response based on governmental indications of insufficient funds for the deployment of the remaining medical interns. Dr Lutoti stated, “Let us not confuse Ugandans; when I see a gap, I must address it,” indicating a necessity for proactive measures in facilitating the advancement of intern pharmacists despite the challenges faced.

Furthermore, Dr Lutoti elaborated that the PSU possesses a robust framework for evaluating the capabilities of health facilities to accommodate interns. He explained that a rigorous examination is conducted prior to and following the internship to maintain the quality of training for pharmacists.

The contentious correspondence is compounded by recent statements from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, who suggested a pathway for medical degree holders to pursue their internships independently if the government remains unable to cover associated costs.

This  disagreement within the PSU leadership underscores the complexities faced in managing medical intern placements within Uganda. A balanced approach, integrating the guidance of the Ministry of Health and the activism of the PSU, may ultimately yield a solution that serves the best interest of aspiring healthcare professionals while adhering to the legislative framework governing pharmaceutical practice in Uganda.