Naivasha sub-county hospital medical superintendent Joseph Mburu has denied claims that there are drug shortages at the facility.
His sentiments come at a time when area residents have raised concerns over being sent to buy drugs from pharmacies in the area despite the government offering free medical services.
Mburu said that this should not be the case as the drugs people were being sent to buy, if not readily available, had substitutes.
“We have cases where some pharmacists in the institutions are trying to promote certain products, thus sending people to buy particular drugs,” he said.
Mburu urged patients should consult with the head of department in the facility, saying that in most cases, they sent people to buy drugs without confirming their availability.
“I can confirm that the hospital is well equipped. Patients should also confirm before they go out to buy the said drugs,” he added.
Patients at the facility had also raised a red flag over being sent to buy injectable drugs. They said the pharmacists were refusing to sell them the drugs.
“We have been trying to buy some medicine at the pharmacy after being referred by the main hospital. Many outlets have refused to sell them, saying that medicine that is supposed to be injected to patients is readily available,” said Jane Mwihaki, a patient.