Involved concerning the widespread inappropriate shelling out of medication below the nation’s Social Well being Insurance coverage Scheme, the Affiliation of Group Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) is considering authorized motion to implement the implementation of the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Authority (NHIA) Act, as amended, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act of 2022.
This resolution was a key end result of the forty third Annual Nationwide Convention of the ACPN, just lately held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The NHIA Act of 2022 goals to make sure that each Nigerian has entry to reasonably priced and high quality healthcare providers by regulating, selling, managing, and integrating all medical insurance schemes and practices in Nigeria.
The ACPN expressed concern over the violation of the NHIA Act and the PCN Act, notably relating to the correct shelling out of medication inside the social medical insurance framework.
The pharmacists claimed that over one trillion Naira price of medication have been allotted since 2006 by people not complying with the required authorized provisions. Consequently, the affiliation suggested its Nationwide Government Committee to pursue authorized motion to implement the legal guidelines established by the NHIA.
“The convention reviewed latest developments on the NHIA and urged the chairman and NEC to instantly think about authorized motion to implement the NHIA Act, as amended, and the PCN Act of 2022, particularly in regards to the acceptable shelling out of medication below social medical insurance schemes in Nigeria. That is particularly vital on condition that over one trillion Naira price of medication have been allotted since 2006 by people not aligned with the legislation,” the communiqué acknowledged.
The ACPN additionally counseled the Federal Ministry of Well being (FMoH) for revitalising the Nationwide Prescription Coverage (NPP), initially delivered to prominence in 2013 by the management of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
The ACPN “appreciated the progress of the NPP committee however emphasised the necessity to appoint a Pharmaceutical Marketing consultant, who should be a Registered Pharmacist below the PCN Act, and a Medical Marketing consultant, who should be a Registered Medical Physician below the MDCN Act.”
The affiliation burdened the necessity for coverage shifts within the pharmaceutical sector to foster innovation and collaboration in Group Pharmacy (CP) follow for more practical service supply.
The ACPN additionally known as for better dedication from the Federal Authorities to deal with the quite a few challenges hindering the total potential of the pharmaceutical sector, together with insufficient sector coordination and the persistent downside of counterfeit and pretend medicine.
“The convention declared that the federal government should present extra dedication to unlocking the pharmaceutical sector’s worth chain by addressing numerous challenges, akin to fragmented coordination, the excessive incidence of unqualified personnel within the occupation, the prevalence of counterfeit medicines as a result of poor implementation of the Nationwide Drug Distribution Tips (NDDG), the shortage of technological adoption, and inadequate entry to capital and infrastructure.”
The ACPN additionally advocated for stronger regulatory controls to make sure Good Pharmacy Observe (GPP) and known as for legislative motion in key areas, akin to establishing Federal and State Activity Forces to fight faux and counterfeit medicine. They identified the “inherent weaknesses in Pharmacy and Drug statutes that enable prison components to function with impunity within the pharmaceutical sector.”
The ACPN urged the federal government to adequately fund the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to satisfy public well being expectations. The affiliation additionally inspired these businesses to rethink among the burdensome tariffs on pharmaceutical producers and importers, particularly given the present surge in drug costs.
The ACPN reminded all ranges of presidency that the provision of high quality medicine is essential for attaining Common Well being Protection (UHC) and advisable higher coordination of provide chain efforts by way of improvements and technology-driven collaborations with regulatory businesses.
