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{
    "id": 882060,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/882060/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 20,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "(3) State the reason why drugs are expiring in KEMSA warehouses while almost all public health facilities across the country are experiencing severe shortage of drugs; and, (4) State the steps being taken by the Ministry of Health to address the issue of drugs expiring at KEMSA and the shortage of drugs in hospitals. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am fully aware that health is 98 per cent a devolved function; it is only around 2 per cent that is controlled by the National Government. This matter is so serious; it is no wonder we are treating funny diseases in this country because some of the pharmaceutical products have a short shelf life that, at times, they become a danger to the people of this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I expect the committee to go into details and give this House a comprehensive report on how drugs are being supplied to counties. Even if you go to my village health centre, called Mosoriot Health Centre in Nandi and other 96 health facilities in Nandi County, you will find that they only have Panadol or they do not have drugs at all in the entire county, including Kapsabet County Referral Hospital. Therefore, the big question is this; it appears as if the county purchases drugs on a quarterly basis, or even in two months’ time; and I know that it is the same across other counties. For example, my county normally buys drugs worth Kshs70 million to Kshs80 million within three months. However, after one or two months, you are told that the only drug available is Panadol. This is despite the information that has come to light now, that most of the drugs that KEMSA is supplying sometimes have a short shelf life or are expired and, therefore, they endanger the lives and health of many Kenyans. I expect the Committee to look into the matter of supply of the drugs and the expiry period for us not to endanger the lives of Kenyans. The reason as to why some lifestyle diseases and cancer are now becoming an issue of national concern is because KEMSA has willingly and negligently refused to perform its duty of ensuring that the drugs that are supplied to our health facilities, across the 47 counties, are vetted and checked. This is happening even as the President implements the Big Four Agenda that includes Universal Health Care. KEMSA must tell the country what they are doing to ensure that the drugs that they supply to our county governments and the referral hospitals, run by the Ministry of Health and the national Government, meet the standards and regulations that have been provided. I expect the Committee to provide this information because Kshs1.2 billion is not ‘chicken change’; it is a lot of money. We expect correct and far reaching answers and KEMSA should be held accountable even if it means investigating them. The necessary investigative agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) should take cue and notes so as to ensure that this matter is put to rest."
}