The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of Nigeria has launched a drug supply implementation committee to eliminate challenges associated with the supply and quality of drugs in the implementation of health insurance in the country.
NHIS executive secretary Professor Mohammed Sambo inaugurated the committee at the corporate head office of the organisation in Abuja on 20 August 2020.
Professor Sambo said that the setting up of the committee was a follow up to the strategic stakeholders’ engagement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies, which took place in Abuja in October 2019.
He said, “The highly fruitful engagement was part of the several platforms for the facilitation of the on-going reforms in the agency.
“The supply of drugs was not only central, but critical to the success of any healthcare delivery system,” said Professor Sambo.
“It is for this reason that our reform agenda mainstreamed the identification and resolution of drug-related gaps and challenges under the NHIS. The quality and supply of drugs are not only crucial to the achievement of the mandate of NHIS but have far-reaching implications on the status of any country’s health sector.”
Professor Sambo said the committee should pay close attention to factors that would engender availability, acceptability and accessibility of drugs. “The committee should also pay close attention to affordability and high-quality drugs.”
“They should also pay attention to the quality of drugs in relation to the needs of health-seeking enrolees of NHIS, as part of the ultimate objective of improving the quality of life of Nigerians.’’
To achieve this, Professor Sambo highlighted the terms of reference of the committee, which include drawing up guidelines for the implementation of branding of drugs and products under NHIS, developing a monitoring and evaluation framework, outlining the process for the distribution of drugs, among others.
The expected outcome of the work of the committee, besides production of NHIS- branded drugs, is adequate supply of drugs that will put an end to out-of-stock syndrome in healthcare facilities.
The committee is expected to ensure high quality drugs that will inspire the confidence of users and achievement of drug security in the system.
Membership of the broad-based committee is drawn from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministries of Health, Finance and Industry and Trade and Investment.
Also, represented on the committee are the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as staff of the Programmes, Planning as well as Standards and Quality Assurance Departments of NHIS.
Source: MEIR
