The Federal Government has introduced a digitalised inventory consignment model to tackle persistent stockouts of essential medicines in federal and national hospitals.
The initiative was unveiled at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, according to a statement issued by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, on September 13, 2025.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the project is part of the national strategy for supply chain management of essential drugs. She explained that the overarching goal is to improve availability and affordability of medicines in public hospitals.
“But then, whatever we do, we should never forget that our job as Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare is to save lives. First and foremost, save lives. Reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians,” she said.
Director of the Hospital Services Department, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, said the model is expected to reduce costs while boosting nationwide access to essential medicines. “Once we go into this partnership, definitely it will be better for all Nigerians. The goal is to strengthen service delivery, introduce a digitalised consignment model for essential medicines, and promote stakeholder collaboration,” he said.
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Also speaking, Pharmacist Yakubu James, who represented the Director of the Food and Drugs Services Department, noted that the engagement aligns with the national strategy for essential drug supply chain management.
While commending the initiative, Prof. Eme Bassey, Chairman of the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) Committee, highlighted challenges hospitals face in meeting urgent drug demands. “We must ask ourselves what happens to drugs urgently required when processes take days. Transparency is key, but we must also address realities on the ground,” he cautioned.
Government officials expressed confidence that the model would transform the management of essential medicines. They said it would guarantee regular availability, improve affordability, and advance Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage.
Pharmacists across Nigeria have continued to push for the creation of a ₦600 billion Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Development Fund to support local drug production. The fund, proposed with a 5% interest rate and a tenure of 7–10 years, would finance the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), vaccines, supply chain interventions, and research and development.
Industry leaders argue that the absence of long-term funding hampers local manufacturing. They also stress that an effective national health insurance system is critical to reducing the financial burden of healthcare and improving equitable access to essential medicines.
