Pharmacy Services In Post Devolution Kenya

Abstract

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 requires county governments to establish and manage county pharmacies. Alongside other health services, pharmaceutical services are among the most devolved functions from national government to county governments. The pharmaceutical services sector is broad and encompasses distribution of medicines, hospital and community pharmacies, drug manufacturing, human resources, training facilities, public quality control laboratories and regulatory agencies. Objectives This study was aimed at assessing the impact devolved government framework on the structure and function of Kenya's pharmaceutical services sector.

Study design and analytical framework The study used a modified decision space analytical framework to compare the degree of decentralization of various pharmaceutical functions. A variety of textual sources including the constitution, statutes, policy documents were reviewed to determine degree of administrative freedoms for the county governments in the management of pharmaceutical services.

Results National Government is in charge of policy making, pharmaceutical services within National Referral Hospitals and training institutions. Functions assigned for County governments include:recruitment pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists, procurement of drugs, county pharmacies and licensing of premises. Financing is a shared function between the National Government and County Governments.

Conclusion Pharmaceutical sector is restructured in devolved government while functions are distributed to both National government and County Governments. Although County Governments are mandated by the Constitution 2010 to carry out certain functions, this has not yet been achieved.