As per the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of domestic pharmaceutical makers, mitigate the prevalence of substandard and counterfeit medical products, and ultimately ensure the integrity of medicines within the nation.
The disclosure was made by Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), during a joint press conference held in Abuja. Professor Adeyeye highlighted that as part of the NHIA Medicine Supply Initiative, 33 drugs will be labeled with the NHIA inscription. Additionally, NAFDAC, specifically through the Directorate of Registration and Regulatory Affairs, will ensure that the medicines are appropriately and adequately labeled in accordance with the Agency's labeling requirements and NHIA guidelines.
According to her statement, the implementation of branding for NHIA drugs and other health items was initiated with the aim of addressing the issue of out-of-stock syndrome and ensuring the quality of these medications.
Adeyeye observed that NAFDAC has actively and purposefully pursued the goal of ensuring the safety of medicines over the past five years. This commitment remains a top priority, with a focus on ensuring that pharmaceutical production facilities meet the necessary standards.
The individual recollected that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pharmaceutical Companies and Drugs Management Organizations (DMOs) to manufacture a total of 33 distinct medications. This initiative aimed to mitigate the persistent issue of inadequate medicine supplies in the country's healthcare facilities.
Adeyeye noted that as part of the initiative, a total of 12 Pharmaceutical companies will be responsible for branding 33 products specifically for the health insurance ecosystem. In the initial phase, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has already selected seven states (Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Osun, and Sokoto States) along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to serve as pilot locations for this program.
According to her statement, the drugs will be categorized in a progressive manner, beginning with simpler medications and progressing towards more sophisticated ones. This categorization aims to effectively treat prevalent health concerns in Nigeria, including malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, children ailments, and drugs utilized by pregnant women. As previously indicated, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would undertake the certification and approval of all pharmaceutical products, ensuring their adherence to standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.
The medications will undergo testing at the laboratory accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Furthermore, as an integral component of its Post Marketing Surveillance endeavors, NAFDAC would persist in its efforts to oversee and verify the sole use of these branded pharmaceuticals within the healthcare facilities of the nation. She further stated that these items are not available for purchase on the shelves.
The Executive Order 3 (EO3) pertaining to the promotion of local content in public procurement by the Federal government mandates that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must prioritize local producers of goods and service providers when procuring goods and services.
The procurement of necessary medicines was facilitated through a collaboration between the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in accordance with Executive Order 3 (EO3). NHIA partnered with local pharmaceutical manufacturers whose manufacturing facilities have received NAFDAC's approval for meeting the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
According to Prof Mohammed Sambo, the Director General of NHIA, the purpose of branding medications and other health products is to enhance the provision of inexpensive, acceptable, accessible, available, and high-quality pharmaceuticals and healthcare items.
The author observed that the primary objective of the initiative is to improve the manufacturing of high-quality medications, thereby instilling confidence in users. Additionally, it aims to decrease the cost of medicines, particularly intravenous fluids, by up to 50% of the current market price. This reduction is anticipated through negotiations between the NHIA and manufacturers, while ensuring that standards and quality are not compromised.
