Just days after the Nakuru County health CeC was sworn in, a regional drugs supplier said the rise in counterfeits drugs is compromising quality healthcare in the country.
Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) says it is stepping up the fight against counterfeit and sub-standard drugs through its World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalified laboratory.
Managing Director Paschal Manyuru said it is enhancing analysis of medicines at the laboratory before and after stocking them.
“This way we ensure that drugs distributed to the over 2,000 health facilities that deserve conform to acceptable international quality standards,” he said.
Manyuru spoke when MEDS received equipment and a Laboratory Information Management System (LMIS) worth more than Sh36 million from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to boost the fight against counterfeits and sub-standard medicines.
The equipment, donated through USAID Kenya Pharma, consists of two Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) machines and dissolution apparatus, which will enhance the laboratory’s capacity to assure quality of drugs.
USAID HIV/AIDS Team Leader René Berger called upon the government to enforce tougher surveillance measures at entry points to curb import of fake drugs.
“East African governments should work together closely to ensure that the opening up of borders in the spirit of the East African Community does not create a conducive environment for this illegal trade to thrive,” he said.
The laboratory currently analyses more than 60 samples every month from manufacturers, distributors and researchers in Kenya and in over 15 African countries.
“With this equipment that uses the latest technology, we will be able to analyse over 120 drug samples every month,” said Manyuru.
Over 30 counties have purchased quality drugs and medical supplies worth over Sh1 billion from MEDS since the beginning of the year. More counties are also set to enjoy huge discounts based on MEDS procurement of huge volumes from manufacturers this quarter.
During the swearing in ceremony, Dr Daniel Mungai Kabii said he will use the knowledge he has gained in the medical field to make sure that the county has well equipped health facilities.
“As a county, we must have well equipped and staffed facilities. This is because that is the only way we can give our people better services,” he said.