The Senate Health Committee has raised concerns over the reported expiry of medicines valued at approximately Ksh 1 billion, warning that the loss represents a major setback in efforts to improve access to healthcare and safeguard public resources.
The committee, chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, raised the issue during a meeting with Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed to review the implementation of Senate resolutions arising from county oversight and networking engagements.
During the session, Dr Mohamed told senators that the PPB is implementing a range of measures aimed at strengthening the regulation of pharmaceutical services and health products across the country.
The interventions include enhanced regulatory frameworks, risk-based inspections, improved pharmaceutical waste management systems, digital transformation initiatives, strengthened licensing processes, and mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for pharmacy professionals.
According to the PPB, the reforms are intended to improve accountability throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain while enhancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of medicines in support of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Puzzle over Ksh 1 billion expired medicines
However, senators expressed concern over reports contained in a Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) report indicating that medicines worth about Ksh 1 billion had expired.
Committee members questioned how such a large quantity of essential medicines could go to waste at a time when many public health facilities continue to face shortages of critical drugs and medical supplies.
The lawmakers urged the PPB to strengthen oversight across the pharmaceutical sector and work closely with relevant agencies to ensure medicines are properly managed and utilised before reaching their expiry dates. They noted that the wastage of essential drugs not only undermines healthcare delivery but also places an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
Additionally, the committee directed that all health facilities handling expired medicines must possess the requisite licences and strictly adhere to approved procedures for the safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
The meeting forms part of ongoing Senate efforts to enhance accountability in the health sector and ensure public institutions responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of medicines operate efficiently.
