By Waikwa Maina
The Ministry of health will not allow county governments that owe Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) more than Sh2.3 billion for drugs supplied last year to purchase medicines and other supplies from other sources.
Speaking at Manunga Health Centre, Kipipiri Constituency in Nyandarua, Health Cabinet secretary Sicily Kariuki said the defaulter counties have no option other than clear the debts.
She said it is a government policy that all public health facilities must purchase the drugs and other medical supplies from the Kemsa, which offer them at subsidised prices, with guaranteed quality.
“We are still negotiating with Kemsa to have them further drop the prices of the drug but we shall not allow the defaulters to buy medicines from unknown sources and risk the lives of our people, the only solution to debt is to pay,” she said.
Ms Kariuki said counties are allowed to buy what the Kemsa does not have from other sources. “Kemsa drugs are bought using taxpayers’ money who deserve the best quality drugs and services,” said Ms Kariuki.
