The Adamawa Health Supply Management Agency says it has largely controlled the circulation of substandard drugs in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Dauda Deri, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Sunday in Yola.
He said the agency had also ensured an uninterrupted supply of quality medicines to health facilities across the state.
Deri said the establishment of the agency had enabled the state to procure medicines directly from certified pharmaceutical manufacturers across the country.
“This approach has greatly reduced the inflow of counterfeit and substandard drugs into our health facilities,” he said.
The official said the agency would continue to monitor the drug supply chain to safeguard public health in the state.
He said the drugs’ purchase arrangement removed middlemen from the supply chain, guaranteeing quality, safety, and affordability of drugs.
“With the Federal Government’s facilitation, states with legally established drug management agencies can now receive supplies directly from manufacturers.
“Every batch is traceable, and any issue can be swiftly addressed. This is a big step towards eliminating substandard medications,” he said.
Deri said the centralised drug procurement system, supported by available data, had enhanced the efficiency of supplies to health facilities, lowered costs, and made medicines more affordable for the public.
He attributed the agency’s success to Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri’s prioritisation of healthcare, saying Adamawa’s rapid establishment of his agency had gained national recognition as the fastest transformation of its kind in Nigeria.
He said reforms put together by the agency, especially the provision of essential work tools, had revived the pharmacy profession and encouraged pharmacists who had left the state to return.
“For the first time since the creation of the state, we are witnessing such an influx of pharmacists into the state civil service.
“With new hospitals, upgraded facilities, and a steady supply of quality drugs, the agency is setting a new standard for healthcare delivery in the region,” he said.
NAN/Shakirat Sadiq