• Decries N33bn Debt Govt-Owned Teaching Hospitals Owe Local Pharmaceutical Companies
• Urges Forensic Audit Of Drug Revolving Fund In Federal Health Institutions
Pharmacists, under the aegis of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP), yesterday, in Lagos, said by addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, Nigeria can strengthen its pharmaceutical ecosystem, improve healthcare delivery, and contribute more to sustainable economic development.

   
They also decried the over N33 billion debt some of the 52 Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), that is government-owned teaching hospitals, are owing pharmaceutical companies under the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF).
   
Chairman, Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Investiture Committee, NAP, Prince Paul Osogbe Enebeli, speaking at a press conference ahead of the Investiture of 14 New Fellows and 9th AGM, said: “The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has carefully chosen this year’s theme, ‘The Nigerian Economy and the Future of the Pharmaceutical Ecosystem.’ This theme is now more relevant as we increasingly face the challenges of insecurity, the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate reforms, etc which continue to impact negatively on the business environment.”

He noted that the country’s large population, increasing healthcare spending, emphasis on local manufacturing, regulatory reforms, innovation, and regional integration provide a strong foundation for growth in the sector.
   
Enebeli said the burden of unpaid DRF debt owed by teaching hospitals should be resolved, stressing the need for a vibrant pharmaceutical industry, which will thrive when government gives adequate attention.
 
Director of Programmes, Dr. Lolu Ojo, said government is their greatest debtors and for the industry to thrive, there must be patronage, especially by the government.

“As I speak to you now, government-owned hospitals are owing some of our members more than N33 billion for drugs purchased under the DRF. There should not be any reason for this debt except corrupt tendencies by those heading those hospitals. Some of them divert monies for DRF that ensures there are enough drugs in the hospitals into other ventures. We have taken the case to the Federal Ministry of Health, the Senate, the House of Representatives and even State Governors,” he said.

 
To address the situation, Ojo said government should do forensic audit in most teaching hospitals. On agenda for the new health ministers, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Secretary General, NAP, and Vice Chancellor, Business School The Netherlands, Prof. Lere Baale, said canvasses the revitalisation of Primary Health Care (PHC) using the community pharmacists for routine immunisation. “Another thing is the health insurance scheme, which needs revitalisation. We think it is something that should be handled at the states.
 
“Digitisation of health care is important. So, it is possible for people to reach out to professionals using text, call etc. There should also be training and retraining for healthcare workers. The issue of disease surveillance and control should be entrenched. 
 
“There is no government in the world that have successfully managed healthcare. Government needs to partner hospital pharmacists on DRF and community pharmacists for routine immunisation.”
 
Enebeli said since its inauguration in 2014, the NAP (NApharm) has emerged as a leading force in advancing pharmaceutical practice and promoting excellence within the industry.
 
He said the foundational members in 2014 were 41 Fellows, which has now progressively grown to 105 by the end of last year. The Investiture of 14 new Fellows will bring the aggregate to 119.