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{
    "id": 1563183,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1563183/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding ceaseless existence of expired medication in public health facilities countrywide. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, over the last three financial years the Auditor-General has flagged out the matter of the presence of huge amounts of expired drugs in most public health facilities in our counties. This is a matter that needs to be addressed urgently since it poses a great risk to the lives of Kenyans seeking treatment in public health facilities, as one never knows when an unscrupulous staffer in these hospitals might give such medication to unsuspecting patients. Coupled with this is a trend by medical professionals in public hospitals to refer patients to privately-owned pharmacies to buy medicines. Indeed, recently, the Mombasa County Government announced that it would not renew the licenses of pharmacies and chemists operating near public hospitals to tackle the exploitation of patients and curb unfair profits by these businesses. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following- (1) The total value of expired drugs in public health facilities from FY2022/2023 to FY2024/2025. (2) Reasons why county health facilities continue to stock expired drugs, including whether there is a possible involvement of county staff and other private health facilities in the pilferage of medicines supplied to public health facilities. (3) The gaps in the supply chain at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) that could be leading to the supply and delivery of expired drugs or drugs with a shorter life span. (4) Possibilities of leveraging on technology in hospitals to monitor stock levels, expiry dates and any other useful data. (5) Viability of a policy to regulate chemists and pharmacies operating around public health facilities in the counties. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}