Fayemi signs Drugs Management bill into law

 

...approves 80million as Take off for the  Agency

Wale Obelewaji

The Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has announced the approval of the sum of 80 million naira seed fund for the  establishment of The Ekiti State Drug and Commodities Management Agency .

Dr. Fayemi made this known in Ado Ekiti, the state capital while assenting to the bill establishing the Agency as part of activities marking his third year in office.

 Governor Fayemi stated that the bill would provide legal framework for the manufacturing, procurement, distribution, sales and management of drugs and medical Commodities in Ekiti State.

The Governor said that the Agency Act would address the menace of low quality drugs in circulation and drug stockouts in the state, ensuring that high quality drugs are constantly available in the state at very affordable price.

Dr Fayemi noted that drugs and medical supplies are essential parts of our health system adding that ensuring that health facilities in the state have essential drugs and medical supplies that can be Readily available when needed is key to delivering Universal Health Coverage for people of Ekiti State.

"The Drug Management Bill is a significant milestone in our health system that will enable us to deliver quality, accessible and equitable healthcare that caters to the specific needs of various population. It will enable the state to maintain sustainable drugs and health Commodities revolving fund while facilitating our manufacturing capacity for local production of drugs and other health Commodities". The governor explained.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services Dr Oyebanji Filani said that successful drug and medical supply system can only be possible when there is a strong regulatory system backed by law, that enables the ability for quality manufacturing and management of an efficient supply chain. 

Dr Filani noted that the  Agency became necessary because the The State Central Medical Store lacked the adequate funding and system to ensure efficient drug supply chain and zero stockout. He stressed that there was streamlined framework for the purchase of drugs within state by health facilities and other service provider..

The Health Commissioner hinted that the Agency when established would be the primary source of of high quality, affordable and accessible drugs and health Commodities for all state owned primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. 

"It will bring about Price stability of drugs and medical supplies within the state, increased leverage to engage big pharmaceutical on contract clearly defined extended credit as well as possibility of generating surplus that contributes to the State's Internally Generated Revenue". He stated.

He explained that the bill was carefully drafted by a committee of homegrown highly skilled professionals, validated by stakeholders in the state and passed into law by the State House of Assembly.