Emmanuel OchayiProf. Mohammed Sambo, the Director-general of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in an effort to combat drug shortages plaguing the country has announced a partnership with NAFDAC (National Agency For Food Drugs and Administration and Control.
This was announced during a Press Conference in Abuja.
The primary mission of this alliance is to revolutionize the branding of medicines and health products, ultimately ensuring the provision of affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare essentials. The emphasis is not just on making these products available but also instilling confidence in the users.
Sambo revealed that the NHIA has been working actively with various stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies, as part of their rebranding initiatives to tackle and eliminate drug shortages. To oversee this initiative, he has formed the Medicines Supply Implementation Committee in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The first phase of this move involves selecting 12 pharmaceutical companies to brand 33 healthcare products for the health insurance ecosystem. This program will commence in seven states, including Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Osun, Sokoto, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Professor Sambo explained, “This initiative is aimed at strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturers, which will, in turn, guarantee medicine security. It will also help reduce the cost of medicines, with intravenous fluids potentially becoming 50% more affordable, all without compromising quality standards.”
Also speaking, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two agencies in regulating and controlling various items, including food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, detergents, and chemicals.
She emphasized the importance of the newly introduced operational guidelines for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act, designed to provide affordable healthcare services to all Nigerians.
Furthermore, by Executive Order 3 (EO3), the government mandates that 33 drugs must carry NHIA branding, and NAFDAC, through its Directorate of Registration and Regulatory Affairs, will ensure compliance with labeling standards and NHIA guidelines.
This move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring universal health coverage and eliminating the scourge of drug shortages, promising a brighter and healthier future for the country.
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