The Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) have urged hospital pharmacists to take a bigger role in managing medical supplies.
The two institutions say buying medicines alone cannot solve persistent shortages in public health facilities. Instead, hospitals need better planning, accurate data and stronger management of medical supplies.
Speaking on Monday, October 12, Health Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga said Universal Health Coverage (UHC) depends on effective management of health products and technologies.
He urged pharmacists to use reliable data when deciding which medicines and medical supplies their facilities need.
“Procurement alone does not guarantee availability,” Oluga said.
Pharmacists Urged to Take Leadership Role
Oluga made the remarks during a national health conference in Naivasha.
The conference brought together national and county government officials, hospital pharmacists, development partners and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Participants are discussing ways to improve medicine management and strengthen healthcare services.
Their discussions include standardising medical products, introducing digital tracking tools and improving procurement plans for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Oluga said pharmacists should use medicine consumption records, clinical evidence and service delivery data to guide purchasing decisions.
This approach could help hospitals avoid shortages and ensure they order supplies according to patients’ needs.
KEMSA Calls for Better Medicine Supply Management
KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa supported the government’s call for stronger pharmaceutical leadership.
He said supply chain reforms should focus on improving patient care rather than meeting administrative targets.
“Our performance must ultimately be reflected in the ability of health facilities to deliver services reliably and in the ability of patients to access the products they need when they need them,” Ejersa said.
He also challenged hospital managers to give pharmacists greater responsibilities in decision-making.
According to Ejersa, hospitals should recognise pharmacists as key contributors to efficient operations, patient safety and sustainable healthcare.
“Pharmacists must be positioned not only as custodians of medicines, but also as strategic contributors to institutional efficiency, patient safety and health-system sustainability,” he added.
Accurate Data Key to Preventing Medicine Shortages
Ejersa urged health facilities to maintain accurate records of medicine use.
He said reliable data would help hospitals prevent stock-outs, avoid excessive supplies and reduce losses caused by expired medicines.
He also warned that technology alone cannot fix problems in the medical supply chain.
Instead, hospitals need accurate information, effective management and accountability to ensure medicines reach patients when needed.
“The objective is straightforward: to ensure that our collective resources translate into the greatest possible benefit for patients,” he said.
Conference Targets Better Procurement Planning
The conference aims to produce several tools to improve medical supply management.
These include a standardised list of essential health products approved by pharmacists. Participants also expect to develop uniform medical specifications.
In addition, KEMSA and hospital pharmacists plan to prepare a joint action plan. The plan will guide procurement during the 2026/2027 financial year.
The organisers expect these measures to improve coordination between hospitals and medical suppliers. They also aim to make better use of available resources and improve access to essential medicines.
Health and Pharmaceutical Partners Support Conference
Several organisations and pharmaceutical companies are supporting the conference.
They include the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Kenya (HOPAK), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Novartis, Cipla, Ethypharm, Troikaa and Pfizer.
The conference focuses on strengthening pharmacists’ leadership and improving the management of health products and technologies.
Organisers say better planning and accountability will help build a more reliable healthcare system and improve medicine availability across the country.
