KEMSA Addresses Audit Report on Quality and Efficiency

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) has responded to an audit report raising concerns about the state of county hospitals. The report, from the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, highlighted issues of expired or substandard drugs and frequent stockouts in county health facilities.

In a statement released on Thursday, Kemsa refuted claims that the drugs it supplies are of poor quality.

The authority emphasized that its operations adhere to strict quality standards.

CEO Waqo Ejersa explained that Kemsa works closely with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and World Health Organisation-prequalified laboratories, including MEDs, KEBs, and the National Quality Control Laboratory, to ensure the quality of its medical supplies. In cases where quality issues arise, Kemsa follows the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Recall Guidelines to address them systematically.

Kemsa also highlighted its Stock Holding Policy, which requires that only items with at least 75% of their shelf life remaining are accepted in its warehouses.

On the issue of stockouts, Kemsa attributed the problem to delayed payments by county governments, which owe the authority Sh3 billion. These financial challenges, Kemsa explained, disrupt its revolving fund model, making it difficult to maintain adequate stock levels.

"Ordering patterns and poor budgeting by counties further distort our forecasting data, making it difficult to align supply with demand," Ejersa noted. The authority relies on historical data from county health facilities for forecasting and procurement but faces challenges due to inconsistent orders and payment delays.

Kemsa urged counties to streamline their payment schedules and allocate sufficient funds for health procurement to prevent stockouts and improve service delivery. The authority emphasized that addressing these financial and systemic challenges is key to ensuring reliable medical supplies for county hospitals.