In a renewed effort to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to enhance access to quality medicines in hospitals nationwide.
The initiative aligns with the presidential directive aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, disclosed this while receiving her NHIA counterpart, Kelechi Ohiri, at her office.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the importance of involving both NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in the procurement processes of medicines. She noted that such collaboration is critical to curbing the circulation of counterfeit and expired drugs in healthcare facilities and ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines.
She also expressed concern over the persistent challenges faced by Nigerians in accessing quality healthcare services, particularly those enrolled under the NHIA scheme.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Adeyeye pledged that NAFDAC would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant government institutions to ensure the availability of quality medicines and reduce the burden on citizens seeking healthcare, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On his part, Dr. Ohiri commended Prof. Adeyeye for her leadership and dedication to safeguarding public health through effective regulation of medicines and other products.
He further highlighted the need to review the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NHIA and NAFDAC, strengthen institutional collaboration, and advance ongoing reforms aimed at improving healthcare access and the medicines supply chain across the country.
