Senate probes expired drugs crisis in counties, citing public health threat

Senators have launched a probe into the worrying trend of expired drugs being found in county health facilities, raising concerns about potential harm to patients and inefficiencies in the healthcare system.

The investigation focuses on the role of medical staff and facility managers in the supply and use of these expired drugs.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Investments and Special Funds, said the issue has persisted for several years and poses a serious threat to public health.

“Over the past three financial years, the Auditor-General has flagged the issue of large quantities of expired drugs in many public health facilities across our counties,” said Osotsi.

His committee, tasked with reviewing audit reports for county hospitals, has now opened a formal inquiry into the matter.

Osotsi emphasised the need for urgent action to prevent further risk to patients relying on public healthcare.

“This is an urgent issue that requires immediate attention, as it presents a significant risk to the lives of Kenyans seeking treatment in public health facilities,” he said.

The Senate Health Committee, chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, is looking into the total value of expired drugs in county hospitals over the last two financial years. The committee also wants to know why some facilities continue to hold expired stock instead of disposing of it.

In addition to identifying stockpiles of expired drugs, the inquiry aims to uncover whether county employees or private medical providers may be involved in diverting medicine meant for public use.

Gaps in supply chain

“The committee should identify any gaps in the supply chain at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency that could be contributing to the distribution of expired drugs or medicines with shorter shelf lives,” Osotsi said.

He also raised concerns that some healthcare workers might be dispensing expired drugs to patients without knowing, further endangering lives.

“There is also a troubling trend where medical professionals in public hospitals are referring patients to privately-owned pharmacies for medicines,” he said.

As a separate effort to address these challenges, the Mombasa County government recently announced it would stop renewing licenses for pharmacies and chemists located near public hospitals. The move aims to protect patients from exploitation and stop these businesses from making unfair profits at the expense of public services.

Following its findings, the Senate committee intends to recommend how counties can use digital tools to track drug inventories, expiry dates, and other important supply chain data to avoid similar issues in the future.

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The committee also plans to review existing laws that govern how pharmacies and chemists operate near government hospitals to ensure they are not undermining the public system.

During a session with the Senate committee last month, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok voiced concern over the matter, arguing that counties were being blamed both for drug shortages and expired medicines.

“It’s ironic that I’m being accused of not having drugs in my facilities while, at the same time, drugs are expiring. The two cannot be true,” said Barchok.

He urged the Senate to help get to the bottom of the issue so counties can deal with it effectively.

“We need the Senate’s support to figure out how we can address these issues,” Barchok said.

The Senate’s investigation continues as the committee prepares to visit several county hospitals to gather evidence and determine the scale of the problem across the country.