KEMSA on the Spot Over Expiry of Medicines Worth Ksh1 Billion

The Senate Standing Committee on Health has raised concern over the reported expiry of medicines valued at approximately Ksh1 billion, according to a report by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

The issue emerged on Thursday, September 17, during a meeting between the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Ahmed Mohamed.

The session, chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, focused on the implementation of resolutions reached by the Senate following the Committee’s County Oversight and Networking Engagements.

Ahmed outlined several measures being undertaken by the Board, including strengthening regulatory frameworks, conducting risk-based inspections and improving the management of pharmaceutical waste.

The interventions also include digital transformation, enhanced licensing systems and mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for pharmacy professionals.

According to Ahmed, the measures are designed to improve accountability throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain while ensuring that pharmaceutical services remain safe, accessible and of the required quality in support of Universal Health Coverage.

However, Senators raised concerns over the reported loss of medicines worth approximately Ksh1 billion through expiry, with the Committee noting the implications of such wastage on both healthcare access and the use of public funds.

The Committee called on the PPB to tighten its oversight mechanisms to prevent medicines from expiring while stored in public health facilities.

Senators noted that effective management of pharmaceutical supplies was necessary to ensure essential medicines reach patients on time and that public resources are not lost through avoidable wastage.

The Committee also directed that health facilities involved in handling expired medicines must possess the required licences and follow all established procedures governing the safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste.

This comes days after Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School was put on the spot over a Ksh1 million investment in shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The matter came before the National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education (PIC-G&E) on Tuesday, September 15, after the Auditor-General questioned Ksh1.58 million recorded as short-term investments in the school's financial statements for the year ended June 2021.

Auditors noted that the school had failed to produce investment certificates and other supporting documents, making it difficult to verify the existence and completeness of the Ksh1.58 million reported in its accounts.

Appearing before the committee, Chief Principal Jane Njuguna explained that the amount comprised several balances, including Ksh1 million invested in stock exchange shares, while the remainder was held in different accounts.

Njuguna told MPs that the investment generated finance income for the school. 

However, her disclosure that the Ksh1 million investment had earned only Ksh5,381 in dividends over one year immediately drew scrutiny from the committee.

"Can you imagine we have Ksh1 million and this year you got Ksh5,000?" committee chairman, Luanda MP Dick Maungu, asked, questioning whether the investment was providing value for money.

School bursar Racheal Wambui told the MPs that the investment remained active and that dividend payments were received through Absa and Centum.

However, Wambui was unable to immediately name the specific companies whose equities had been purchased by the school.

The bursar explained that the investment had been made before 2010, while she only joined the institution in 2022.

Wambui nevertheless acknowledged that the returns suggested the investment was not generating sufficient value for the school.

"Economically, I would say that it could not maybe give the value for money," she stated.