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{
"id": 1337061,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1337061/?format=api",
"text_counter": 273,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to support and thank the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health for this well-thought-out Bill. This Bill provides for regulation so that we do not have drug abuse and exploitation of the poverty of others. Some people may be addicted to drugs, and when there is a framework where they can easily access drugs, we exploit their poverty and situation. I also support this Bill because it recognises alternative medicine, though it needs to define what alternative medicine is. When I looked at this Bill, I tried to define alternative medicine only to discover that it is already defined under the Health Act. So, there may be some cleaning up that may need to be done to make reference to the relevant Act. Additionally, I am happy that the Bill recognises herbal medicine. However, the approach that this Bill is giving herbal medicine is terrifying. From how we deal with this, it is as though we want to recognise it, but we still seem to think that herbal medicine is witchcraft. Herbal medicine is not witchcraft. In fact, 25 per cent of all world medicines are derived from herbs. Now that we can recognise the importance of herbal medicine, especially here in Kenya, we should ensure we give it the proper place. I have proposed amendments that would ensure that we mainstream herbal medicine. I have said in this House that Kenya has several herbal plants, like Mwarubaini, that are helping us. Most gynaecological issues among women are dealt with by herbal medicine, much less by what we perceive as modern medicine. This Bill also recognises generic drugs, although I am still trying to figure out how we will deal with it in relation to intellectual property rights. One of my concerns is that it allows the doctors who prescribe medicine to allow dispensing pharmacies a chance to dispense generic drugs, but does not allow the patient to refuse generic drugs. At times, when you go to a healthcare facility, what the doctor prescribes for you is not what you are given. When the doctor prescribes an alternative, they need to get your concurrence because I may not want generic drugs. So, those are provisions that are not there. I have several proposed amendments which I will bring at the right time. I have talked to Hon. Osoro off-the-cuff, and I want to say it here. I encourage the leadership of the Majority Party not to be worried or scared of amendments. We are all Kenyans. If I propose an amendment, I only do it to benefit Kenyans. So, do not be scared. Like yesterday, I had some proposed amendments to the Primary Health Care Bill, but we are moving at such supersonic speed that we cannot bring proposed amendments. Even though it was such a good Bill, we wanted to look at adherence for people with HIV/AIDS. We wanted to ensure that sexual and gender-based violence is treated as a health issue. This is because it provides a framework that reaches the household. These are significant issues. But the way we are moving, it is unfortunate that we want to try and shorten the debate on this important Bill, which is significant to other Members. I want to encourage the leadership of this House that if you are not careful, we will have what we call legislative dictatorship very soon. We are used to Executive dictatorship, but we are increasingly seeing what appears as a legislative dictatorship. We know you have the numbers, but have your way as we have our say. When you use Standing Orders to keep stifling our voices, it is not a good thing. Let Members speak to it, especially when you have an excellent Bill. The world is not ending tomorrow or the day after. Let us talk to them. Let us add value. I do not see why we are rushing like we are worried. There is also the issue of quacks. I thank Hon. Mayaka for raising that issue. Through this Bill, we will bring an amendment to ensure that everybody is not dispensing drugs aimlessly. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}