Nakuru moves to stop theft of drugs from public hospitals
Nakuru County Health Services Chief Officer Samuel King’ori Monday who on January 27, 2020 said that his department is working to establish the source of drugs from public hospitals which were found on the shelves of a private clinic Njoro. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Dr King'ori said that such vices lead to shortages of drugs in the country.
- The Pharmacy and Poisons Board raised concern after two people were arrested while stocking the GoK-labelled drugs.
- Dr Kariuki said theft of public drugs is among the main contributors of shortages witnessed across the country.
The Nakuru County government has embarked on a mission to seal loopholes that lead to loss of drugs in public hospitals.
This was after two people were arrested stocking drugs and laboratory equipment belonging to the government of Kenya in private clinics.
Health Services Chief Officer Samuel King’ori Monday said his department is working to establish the source of the drugs which were found on the shelves of a private clinic in Njoro Sub-County.
“As a county, we would like to know how the drugs got to the private chemist and whether any of our workers could have stolen the drugs,” said Dr King’ori.
TAKE ACTION
He warned that stern action would be taken against individuals found culpable, saying that such vices lead to shortages of drugs in the country.
He said the county government has invested at least Sh700 million in supply of medicines to various hospitals in Nakuru to avert shortages.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board raised concern after two people were found stocking the GoK-labelled drugs during a crackdown in the South Rift region.
SUSPECTS CHARGED
The suspects, Ms Truphosa Riomba and Ms Caroline Achieng, who appeared in a Nakuru court, were charged with possession of the drugs at their Njoro Huduma Medical Clinic in Njoro Sub-County.
They denied the charge and were freed on a Sh25,000 cash bail each.
Speaking to the Nation, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Head of Goods and Distribution Practices Dominic Kariuki regretted that private clinics were engaging in malpractices which could adversely affect public hospitals.
According to Dr Kariuki, the theft of public drugs for sale in private chemists is among the main contributors to shortages witnessed in various parts of the country.
“This is outright theft of public resources carried out by individuals colluding with government officials in the hospitals. Whoever is engaging in this vice must know that it is illegal,” said Dr Kariuki.
He warned licensed wholesalers who have been supplying drugs to illegal chemists' shops that stern action will be taken against them.
