Nigeria Announces Strategic Plans to Reduce Drug Prices and Enhance Pharmaceutical Infrastructure
The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed plans to address the escalating prices of drugs across the country. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, announced at a press briefing in Abuja that an executive order will soon be issued to tackle the issue in the short term.
Prof Pate highlighted the government’s mid to long-term goals, including the domestication of imported drugs within the next three years in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. He also mentioned the commissioning of pharmaceutical-grade warehouses at the federal level in April 2024 as part of efforts to fortify the pharmaceutical infrastructure.
In a bid to strengthen the pharmaceutical infrastructure nationwide, the Federal Government has initiated the construction of pharmaceutical-grade warehouses in 21 states in collaboration with Drug Management Agencies. Additionally, two warehouses at the federal level are being constructed, complemented by the installation of the Warehousing Management Information System– M Supply, in these 21 pharmaceutical-grade warehouses. This project, which commenced in October 2023, is expected to be completed in March 2024, with a scheduled commissioning in April 2024.
The implementation of the Warehousing Management Information System (WMIS) is aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency in the pharmaceutical sector, ensuring the potency of public health medicines and other health commodities.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has made significant progress in healthcare data management by onboarding essential medicines and narcotics utilisation onto the National Health Logistics Management Information System platform. This move enhances medicines reporting and establishes a robust framework for monitoring and optimising the supply chain.
In addition, the government has developed the maiden National Policy on Cosmetics Safety in Nigeria to guide the production and safe use of cosmetics in the country. Efforts to promote food safety and hygiene practices have also been made through the development of two Unified Food Safety Training Manuals.
Prof Pate also highlighted the government’s efforts in promoting medical industrialisation, noting that strategic partnerships and funding initiatives have unlocked the full potential of the healthcare sector. The Ministry has secured a $1 billion pledge from Afreximbank, along with commitments from foreign partners, to support these endeavours.
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