Expired ARVs in Kibuku Highlight Drug Supply Chain Weaknesses

Kibuku District in Uganda is grappling with a concerning issue of expired antiretroviral (ARV) drugs accumulating in health facilities, sparking a probe into potential weaknesses in the national drug supply chain.

The expiry of these critical medications, essential for managing HIV, before they could be administered to patients points to systemic problems in how drugs are procured, distributed, and managed at the local level.

District Health Officer Dr. Godfrey Buyinza confirmed the situation, stating that efforts are underway to quantify the expired stock for collection and destruction by the National Medical Stores (NMS). He suggested that the issue might stem from NMS delivering drugs with short remaining shelf lives, a problem he noted is not unique to ARVs but affects various medical commodities.

Mohamed Nakeba, the Kibuku District LC5 Chairperson, also attributed some of the expiry to low patient uptake. He explained that some individuals on ARV treatment may not collect their medication or might discontinue it, leading to stock remaining unused.

However, local officials, including Secretary for Health and Education Moleka Augustine Majanga, have also pointed fingers at NMS, alleging persistent delivery of drugs with very limited time before expiry. This practice, they argue, contributes significantly to the high burden of expired drugs within the district.

This challenge is not isolated to Kibuku. Neighbouring Butebo District has also reported a substantial stockpile of expired ARVs across its health facilities. District Health Officer Dr. Lawrence Onyuu cited changes in treatment guidelines as one factor, alongside the general issue of drug supply management.

The expiry of ARVs represents a considerable loss of public resources and raises critical questions about the efficiency of the healthcare system’s drug management. Better forecasting, regular stock monitoring, timely redistribution, and improved communication between health facilities and suppliers are crucial to prevent such wastage and ensure that essential medicines reach patients without delay.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)