The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the creation of MediPool, a national group purchasing organisation. This move aims to lower the cost of critical medicines and medical supplies across Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the approval after the FEC meeting in Abuja. He said MediPool will work as a public-private partnership.
MediPool will help us buy medicines in bulk, negotiate better prices, and deliver them to the people, Pate said.
By combining the purchasing power of the federal government with private sector efficiency, Nigeria hopes to tackle high drug prices. The programme will focus on procurement planning, supply chain logistics, regulatory compliance, and quality control.
MediPool also supports local production by encouraging investment and replacing imports with Nigerian-made drugs, Pate added.
Long-Term Effort to Lower Drug Prices
The minister said the initiative is the result of over one year of work to reduce the financial burden of rising drug prices on Nigerians.
This problem is not unique to Nigeria. Even the United States is acting to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, Pate said.
He pointed out that MediPool has been reviewed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and benchmarked with similar models in Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.
We believe this will reshape the domestic market. It will increase demand for quality drugs, lower costs, and boost local manufacturing, he said.
Supporting Nigeria’s Health Sector
The MediPool programme will also build local capacity. It includes training, financial management systems, and a plan to ensure the steady supply of essential drugs, even in emergencies.
It includes financial management, payment systems, and contingency planning, the minister noted.
He said the platform is expected to increase the availability of high-quality medicines nationwide.
FEC Approves ₦2.3 Billion Cardiac Lab for Sokoto
In another decision, the FEC approved a ₦2.3 billion contract for the purchase and installation of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.
Pate said the facility will improve the hospital’s ability to detect and treat serious heart conditions.
This new equipment will help us manage heart attacks and other complex cardiovascular problems, he said.
The minister added that the lab would expand access to advanced care for patients in the northern region.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
