By Muhammad Amaan
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is partnering with pharmaceutical companies to produce NHIA-branded drugs in Nigeria.
The move aims to improve access to quality medications and restore confidence in the scheme.
This was disclosed by the Oyo State NHIA Coordinator, Mr Babajide Daramola, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, the initiative is designed to enhance the delivery of efficient healthcare services and create a more positive perception of the NHIA programme.
“To ensure that adequate drugs are available for our subscribers, we are set to produce our own NHIA-branded drugs in partnership with pharmaceutical companies with whom we have signed agreements.
“These drugs will carry the NHIA brand to signify improvements in our operations and will be made available in all NHIA-accredited healthcare facilities across the country.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed. Implementation can begin this year, and we are fully on top of it,” Daramola added.
He urged enrolees to consistently provide feedback and report any irregularities experienced at their registered health facilities.
“If an enrolee receives low-quality drugs or is made to buy drugs outside, they should report it. Only then can we take action.
“We ensure that those who buy drugs externally and report back are reimbursed,” he explained.
Mr Daramola emphasised the NHIA’s commitment to quality assurance, stating that the organisation routinely conducted facility inspections and investigated any infractions.
He noted, however, that some reports from enrolees had turned out to be false.
He also clarified that the NHIA, like other health insurance schemes worldwide, predominantly provided generic drugs, not branded ones.
“Globally, health insurance schemes use generic drugs, including in countries like the UK, USA, and Germany.
“These generics have the same potency, chemical composition, and therapeutic effects as branded medications,” he explained.
Daramola used the opportunity to remind the public of the organisation’s name change from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
He explained that the change followed the passage of the NHIA Act on May 19, 2022.
“In spite of these efforts, several NHIA enrolees have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and availability of drugs.”
