The plethora of issues begging for solutions in the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector may soon become history, as leaders and stakeholders in healthcare have recently converged to chart the way forward for the sector.
The stakeholders, who included policy makers, regulators, pharmacists, captains of pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals, assembled at a three-day summit of the Heads of Pharmacy Units in the Lagos State Public Service, held at Orchid Hotels, Lekki, recently. Their goal was to address bottlenecks around the actualisation of universal health coverage (UHC) in the state and the country at large.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Health, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, who was the keynote speaker at the conference, emphasised the transformative potentials of local solutions that could be derived through new trends in Pharmacy.
Ogunyemi noted that such innovations as digital health technologies and e-pharmacy solutions can boost healthcare access, particularly in remote areas. She stressed the importance of pharmacists in providing essential medicines and services, regardless of individuals’ social or economic status.
Speaking on the theme, “Achieving universal health coverage through new trends in Pharmacy”, Ogunyemi reiterated the critical role of Pharmacy in healthcare delivery and its evolution in the pursuit of universal health coverage. She underscored the need for collaboration, innovation, and excellence in pharmaceutical practice to attain this goal.
The special adviser further urged pharmacists to embrace the relevant pharma technologies as they are critical in the promotion of preventive and holistic healthcare approaches, adding that collaboration with other healthcare providers and community engagement have the potentials to empower individuals and communities.
Ogunyemi concluded by emphasising the commitment of the Lagos State Government to achieving universal health coverage through its THEMES Plus agenda, which focuses on health and the environment.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, called for stricter regulations in the pharmacy sector to address the challenges of proliferation of fake drugs and unlicensed pharmacies, while highlighting the place of native solutions in advancing healthcare in the country.
Ogboye, who identified the importance of the State Drug Revolving Fund (SDRF) and the need for its survival, noted the simplicity of the system, which, he said, aimed at leveraging economies of scale to keep prices low.
The permanent secretary particularly mentioned the existing challenge in medicines supply, which, according to him, has dovetailed into a situation where majority of stock in hospitals are being sourced independently, leading to concerns about authenticity and undermining the system’s integrity.
He harped on the importance of adherence to the essential drug list, while discouraging the arbitrary prescription of medications not stocked by hospitals. He also called for hospitals to become “one-stop” outlets, to eliminate the need for patients to seek medications elsewhere.
On the lingering issue of consultant pharmacists in Lagos State, Ogboye expressed hope of a resolution through continued engagement between leadership and stakeholders.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, who was represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the board, Pharm. Shakirat Adeosun, underscored the pivotal role of pharmaceutical services in primary healthcare delivery.
Celebrating the achievements of the board, particularly in implementing the SDRF across numerous primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Lagos State, he restated the commitment of the board to equitable healthcare access and quality medicine provision for all residents.
Earlier, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. Oyebisi Omolambe, highlighted the importance of the summit as a platform for meaningful engagement, idea exchange, and networking. She emphasized the significance of collaboration, learning, and growth in addressing pressing issues and seizing new opportunities in the pharmacy profession.
According to her, “It is hoped that the summit will culminate in a shared commitment among stakeholders to leverage collective expertise and insights to drive transformative advancements in Pharmacy and healthcare delivery in Lagos State.
“As discussions continue beyond the summit, the collaborative efforts and innovative solutions forged during this gathering are poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare access and quality for all residents of Lagos State”.
