In a bid to ensure sustainable access to affordable and acceptable quality medicines for Nigerians everywhere, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered into a partnership with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
This development was made by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola at a joint press conference with the Director General of NHIA, Prof Mohammed Sambo in Abuja recently.
Adeyeye noted that under the NHIA Medicine Supply Initiative, 33 drugs would be branded with NHIA inscription and NAFDAC, through the Directorate of Registration.
She also said the Regulatory Affairs will ensure that appropriate and adequate labelling of the medicines is met in line with the agency’s labelling requirements and in accordance with NHIA guidelines.
She stated that the branding of NHIA medicines and other health products was introduced as a way to help eradicate out-of-stock syndrome, as well as ensure the quality of its medicines.
The don noted that NHIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pharmaceutical Companies and Drugs Management Organisations for the production of 33 different drugs to address the perennial problem of out-of-stock syndrome in the nation’s health facilities.
Under the initiative, 12 pharmaceutical companies will be branding 33 products for the health insurance ecosystem in the first phase.
She disclosed that NHIA has already chosen seven states (Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Osun and Sokoto states) and the Federal Capital Territory for the pilot phase of this initiative.
Adeyeye also said the categories of drugs involved will start from simple to complex, which will be used to address prevailing health conditions in Nigeria, such as malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, childhood illnesses and drugs being used by pregnant women. As mentioned earlier, every drug to be manufactured will be certified and approved by NAFDAC, in terms of quality, safety and efficacy.
