African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2298

Short Communication

Availability of essential medicines in public hospitals: A study of selected public hospitals in Nakuru County, Kenya

Mwathi Martha Wangu*
  • Mwathi Martha Wangu*
  • Department of Health Systems Management, School of Medicine and Medical Education, Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ben Onyango Osuga
  • Ben Onyango Osuga
  • Department of Health Systems Management, School of Medicine and Medical Education, Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya
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  •  Received: 07 January 2014
  •  Accepted: 08 April 2014
  •  Published: 08 May 2014

Abstract

The aim of this study was to confirm the level of availability of essential medicines in public hospitals in Kenya and the factors leading to this. A cross-section approach was adopted for the research which was conducted across several public hospitals in Nakuru County. Data was collected using questionnaires as the main tool. The findings revealed that majority of the essential medicines that include common antibiotics, common analgesics, antihypertensives, emergency drugs and pediatric formulations were found to be stocked out. Stock outs were caused by poor distribution (91.2%), issues of funding (58%), inappropriate selection (58%), and irrational use (56%) of essential medicines.

Key words: Health system, essential medicines, public health.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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