Auditor-General faults Nakuru Level 5 Hospital for stocking expired drugs worth Sh1.8 million
The audit findings have sparked concerns over drug safety at the referral facility, with questions arising as to why those responsible for monitoring stock failed to detect the expired drugs before the audit.
At least Sh1.8 million worth of expired drugs and medical supplies were discovered in the stores of Nakuru Level Five Hospital, raising serious concerns over patient safety and the management of the region’s largest referral facility.
The hospital, which serves Nakuru and at least six neighboring counties, including Baringo, Nyandarua, Kericho, Narok, Laikipia, and Samburu, was found to have stocked expired drugs, contrary to proper medical standards.
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According to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s latest report covering the 2023/2024 financial year, the facility failed to prevent the stocking of expired drugs, a lapse that could endanger patients.
The report indicates that a physical inspection by auditors on October 8, 2024, unearthed the expired drugs and medical supplies.
“A review of records from the pharmacy department at Nakuru Level Five Hospital on October 8, 2024, revealed that drugs amounting to Sh1.8 million had expired during the year under review but were still in the stores,” Gathungu said in the report.
She criticised the hospital for lacking internal controls and proper structures to monitor drug procurement and stock levels.
“It was observed that the department had failed to develop proper internal controls to monitor stock levels and the nature of stores, as required under Regulation 158(1)(b) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015,” she said.
The report further revealed that the hospital management could not provide a valid explanation for storing expired drugs supplied by the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
“Procurement of drugs that are likely to expire in a short while leads to the loss of public resources and, in some instances, exposes patients to health risks,” reads the report.
The audit findings have sparked concerns over drug safety at the referral facility, with questions arising as to why those responsible for monitoring stock failed to detect the expired drugs before the audit.
Nakuru Human Rights Network Director David Kuria has called for a comprehensive medical audit of the hospital to assess drug safety and supply sufficiency.
“The issue of expired drugs is very worrying. A medical audit is necessary to ensure the facility has enough drugs and that proper internal controls are in place to monitor stock levels,” Kuria said.
He urged the county government to develop a policy guiding drug procurement and supply to eliminate ambiguities that lead to unnecessary stockpiling and drug expiry.
“Hospitals should be the first to check and determine drug expiry dates before accepting any supplies,” he added.
Nakuru County primarily sources its drugs and medical supplies from Kemsa but occasionally purchases from other suppliers. In the 2023/2024 financial year, the county procured drugs and medical supplies worth Sh114.6 million from Kemsa and alternative suppliers.
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