The Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate on Wednesday, stated the Federal Authorities will quickly subject an government order to curb escalating drug costs within the nation.
Prof Pate defined that the manager order is a short-term objective in decreasing drug costs.
He added that the Federal Authorities’s mid to long-term targets in decreasing drug costs contain the domestication of imported medicine throughout the subsequent three years in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Funding.
Prof Pate, who disclosed this on the third version of the ministerial press briefing sequence initiated by the Ministry of Info in Abuja, famous that pharmaceutical-grade warehouses on the federal stage shall be commissioned in April 2024.
The briefing sequence was initiated to supply a platform for public officers to reel out their achievements and apprise Nigerians of the challenges of governance.
Specialists within the pharmaceutical trade have stated depreciating forex, hoarding, importation of medicine and uncooked valued forex, and excessive tariffs on pharmaceutical imports are driving up the prices of medicine within the nation.
Findings by our correspondent confirmed that some medicines have skyrocketed as a lot as 200 per cent or 300 per cent.
The Minister of State for Well being and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa had solely instructed our correspondent final week that President Bola Tinubu would quickly signal an government order to supply quick succour to Nigerians in regards to the excessive value of prescription drugs.
Dr Alausa stated the excessive value of prescription drugs within the nation is because of insufficient planning prior to now.
Talking on Wednesday, Pate stated, “The rising value of prescription drugs is a urgent concern, and we’re taking decisive motion to deal with this subject. An government order will quickly be issued to curb escalating drug costs within the brief time period, whereas our mid to long-term objective entails the domestication of imported medicine throughout the subsequent three years, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce.
“In a strategic transfer to fortify the pharmaceutical infrastructure throughout the nation, the Federal Authorities initiated the development of pharmaceutical-grade warehouses in 21 states in collaboration with Drug Administration Businesses.
“Two extra warehouses on the federal stage are additionally underway, complemented by the set up of the Warehousing Administration Info System– M Provide, in these 21 pharma-grade warehouses. This visionary challenge commenced in October 2023, is slated for completion in March 2024, with a scheduled commissioning in April 2024.”
He said that the implementation of WMIS is anticipated to considerably improve accountability and transparency, guaranteeing the efficiency of public well being medicines and different well being commodities.
“This infrastructure improvement aligns with our dedication to bettering well being outcomes for residents nationwide.
“Moreover, the federal government has taken strides in advancing healthcare information administration. Important medicines and narcotics utilisation throughout the three ranges of healthcare have been efficiently onboarded onto the Nationwide Well being Logistics Administration Info System platform.
“This decisive step not solely strengthens our worldwide picture by enhancing medicines reporting but in addition establishes a sturdy framework for monitoring and optimising the provision chain. As well as, the Federal Authorities has led the event of the maiden Nationwide Coverage on Cosmetics Security in Nigeria, a vital coverage that can information the manufacturing and protected use of cosmetics within the nation.
“Furthermore, the event of two Unified Meals Security Coaching Manuals, specializing in Hazard Evaluation and Vital Management Level rules, in addition to the necessities for Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices alongside the meals provide chain, underscores our dedication to selling meals security and hygiene practices throughout the nation.”
He added that the federal government’s efforts to advertise medical industrialisation are gaining momentum.
“By way of strategic partnerships and funding initiatives, we’re unlocking the complete potential of our healthcare sector. I’m happy to announce that the Ministry has secured a $1bn pledge from Afriexim financial institution, alongside commitments from international companions, to assist our endeavors on this regard,” he stated.
