Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has blamed the reported shortage of inhalers in the country on failures in the supply chain system.
Speaking during a media engagement forum in Nairobi on Friday, Nakhumicha confirmed that the popular Ventolin inhaler, made by GSK, was indeed out of stock.
She, however, noted that Salbutamol inhaler brands are in stock at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.
"Last night I went to a chemist to check whether Ventolin is there or is out of stock, and I confirmed that Ventolin is out of stock. However, Ventolin is a brand name; there are others that we call generic drugs, and WHO recommends that even as you prescribe, you do that with a generic name," Nakhumicha said.
She called in those looking to purchase inhalers to ask for the alternatives in stock since salbutamol inhalers are available.
"At Kemsa, we have the Salbutamol inhaler, which then goes to public facilities, so I am not sure what private facilities are doing but good practice is that they should have the alternative, which is the Salbutamol inhaler that is available in the market," the CS said.
The CS said that currently the fill rate at Kemsa is 68 per cent but the counties have a responsibility to ensure that they order supplies so that the facilities are stocked at all times.
She said there is a whole supply chain issue that needs to be managed. "At the counties there are places that you will go to and I have been walking around there are some dispensaries you find are out of stock, and if you check that product is available in Kemsa, that speaks to failure of the supply chain system."
The CS said the ministry is working on sourcing for an integrated health management information system that links facilities to Kemsa to enable the facilities to always see the stock levels at the authority and place orders.
She reiterated the ministry's commitment to work with the Council of Governors to tighten the supply chain and ensure counties benefit from the integrated health management information system to be put in place.
This week, drug importers blamed the government’s single payment system for the shortage of asthma inhalers and other key drugs.
Pharmacists said the popular Ventolin inhaler, made by GSK, is completely unavailable.
Other Salbutamol inhaler brands are in short supply and have become expensive.
Inhalers are the safest and most effective treatment for asthma. They allow people with asthma to lead a normal, active life.
Early last year, they were sold at about Sh250 a piece, but currently, they sell for at least Sh500.