The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is ready to partner drug manufacturers to make branded and affordable medications available for enrollees in the scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, made the announcement in Abuja on Sunday.
According to him, the agency has formulated an initiative where branded drugs will be produced and be easily available and affordable for enrollees to access.
“NHIS has already reached the last stage of conversation to commence the initiative with prospective drug manufacturing firms.
“We are working assiduously with manufacturers. In fact, we have gone to the last stage of our conversation with respect to doing that.
“Many drug companies have indicated willingness to participate in the exercise because they will be assured that if there are 12 million people in the ecosystem of NHIS, they will produce drugs for 12 million people.
“So, they are willing to participate.’’
Sambo explained that the initiative would reduce the cost of drugs and that the branding would remove any fear of the drugs being fake.
“So, we will ensure quality drugs, availability and affordability through this innovation.”
The NHIS boss, who noted that the organisation operates on a premium sourced from the contributions of enrollees, added that inflation or devaluation often threatens the amount of drugs that can be disbursed or dispensed.
He said that NHIS was established to ensure quality healthcare for all Nigerians and to help avert the financial hardships usually incurred as a result of seeking for healthcare services.
