Pharmacists urge govt to restore drug revolving fund, reduce import duty

Tpharmaceutical industries have called for the restoration of the Drug Revolving Fund ( DRF) as a means to address the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals in the country.

PSN President, Prof Cyril Usifoh, said the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals is being hindered by interference in the DRF by Chief Medical Directors ( CMDS), resulting in receivables and creating an urgent need for restoration. He urged the government to address the issue and respond to the plights of the masses, as well as recognise pharmacists as primary healthcare providers. “There is a need to reverse the sorry state of DRF in our tertiary healthcare facilities. This will address the current state of indebtedness to pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers, as well as ensure uninterrupted access to vital medications for the public,” he said.

Usifoh advocated enriching of Drug Management Agency ( DMA) to oversee the efficient coordination, distribution, and availability of essential medicines. Public- private partnerships through DMAS will further enhance the affordability, accessibility, and availability of these crucial medications, aligning to strengthen the healthcare system and improve overall public health.

The pharmacists appealed to the government to implement the consultant pharmacists’ policy approved and gazetted in all the federal health institutions to maximise the growing contributions of pharmacists, as well as the accessibility of pharmacy students in the hospitals for clinical ward rounds and training by pharmacists. “Addressing these concerns will not only improve the working environment for pharmacists but will also have a direct positive impact on public health services as a whole,” Usifoh said.

President, the Federation of Nigeria Pharmaceutical Industries Association ( FENPIA), Dr Okey Akpa, said the Nigerian Pharmaceutical industry is heavily import- dependent. “Most of their production inputs and finished pharmaceutical products are imported, which means that the final pricing of the finished product depends on the Foreign Exchange ( FOREX) rate.

“We recommend that the pharmaceutical industry be given special priority to access forex at rates that will moderate the final cost of medicines and other strategic healthcare commodities of critical need,” he said.

Apka said members are devoted to promoting the growth and sustainability of the industry, striving for Nigeria's self- reliance in producing healthcare products and adhering to global quality standards.

While noting that his members have invested in state- ofthe- art manufacturing facilities, and received certifications from the World Health Organisation ( WHO) for Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP), he explained that the association’s continuous efforts will ensure the availability and affordability of effective and safe medicines, including rare and innovative ones, by focusing on local production and strategic importation.