Senator Raises Alarm Over Expired Drugs In Public Hospitals

Senator Godfrey Osotsi has called on the Senate Committee on Health to urgently investigate the growing problem of expired drugs in public health facilities, terming it a national crisis.

Speaking during a Senate sitting, Osotsi expressed concern over reports from the Auditor-General that for the past three years, large amounts of expired medicine have been found in hospitals across the country.

“This issue poses a serious risk to Kenyans who depend on public hospitals for treatment. It must be addressed immediately,” he said.

Osotsi questioned why public health facilities continue to stock expired drugs despite the known dangers.

He also raised the possibility of collusion between county staff and private health players to steal government medicine.

He pointed to supply chain failures at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) as a possible cause of the problem, saying that poor delivery and short shelf-life drugs may be worsening the situation.

The Senator urged the Health Committee to consider using technology to track drug expiry dates and recommended the regulation of private pharmacies located near hospitals to prevent the exploitation of patients.

“This Senate must act to protect patients and restore public trust in our healthcare system,” Osotsi said.