Let counties source supplies independently

In recent months, there has been a raging debate on where counties should buy drugs and medical supplies. Should there be a sole supplier or should the market be opened up to other players?

The Health Bill 2014 proposes that the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) becomes the primary provider of health products and technologies. But counties should be allowed to source for drugs from other prequalified suppliers.

Comparing quality and prices is a key component of any objective procurement that can only be achieved when other credible players are allowed in the market.

Statistics indicate that since the beginning of this year, more than 30 counties have procured drugs and medical supplies worth more than Sh1 billion from alternative suppliers.

The Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), for instance, distributed drugs and medical supplies worth Sh600 million to 30 counties.

Limiting procurement to one organisation may ground county health systems if the organisation experienced any challenges. Similarly, the proposed Kemsa Amendment Bill 2013 seeks to support counties to establish drawing rights, making it the sole supplier for both national and county governments.

Instead of supporting a monopoly, the Bill should introduce competition and partnerships to ensure efficient use of resources. Counties should not procure pharmaceuticals without knowing what the competitive market price is.

In fact, key players in the health sector should embrace public-private partnerships. The true measure of success in devolving healthcare is whether it drives down medical costs.

As enshrined in the Constitution, every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and this can only be achieved through joint efforts.

ENHANCING DEVOLUTION

Monopolies are prone to inefficiencies. Apart from giving the supplier a greater bargaining power over the counties, a monopoly in such a critical sector will undermine both the values and ethos of the Constitution.

We must pool resources through properly designed and administered partnerships. County health systems can benefit from private sector skills and expertise, by capitalising on them to strengthen public sector systems and vice versa. This will enhance devolution and reinforce the health rights of all citizens.

Through partnerships, healthcare providers can leverage on each other’s capabilities in aspects of quantification, procurement, quality assurance, warehousing, inventory management, distribution and logistics management.

This will enable them to enjoy economies of scale and reduce costs, thus increasing countrywide access to quality and affordable medical products.

Each county faces unique challenges. Therefore, each should identify its health-related problems and tackle them by taking advantage of organisations with already established and tested systems, whether public or private.

Of significance is the contribution made by faith-based organisations in healthcare services, especially in rural areas. The government should not overlook their contribution since more than 40 per cent of the population accesses healthcare services through them.

If we are to make the right to health a reality, these Bills should provide guidance on how State and non-State partners can collaborate to ensure health resources are efficiently used.

Mr Manyuru is the managing director of Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS).