The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of the drug revolving funds scheme of the Federal Government.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled “Collapse of Revolving Funds and Indebtedness of Federal Health Institutions to Pharmaceutical Firms in Nigeria,” sponsored by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola, Hon. Amos Magaji Gwamna, and Hon. Regina Akume at the plenary session presided over by Speaker, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas.
The House mandated the Committee on Health Institutions to conduct the comprehensive investigation and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.
While moving the motion, the lawmakers noted that the Drug Revolving Funds Scheme, created as a result of the Essential Drug Act, was intended to address challenges such as the perennial out-of-stock syndrome of drugs in public health institutions.
They observed that while the Drugs Revolving Funds scheme was initially successful, it had been mismanaged by hospital management, resulting in pharmaceutical firms owing N18 billion in 2021 and N30 billion in 2023.
The House recognized the existence of the Drugs Revolving Funds (DRF), a National Contingency Plan designed to tackle the out-of-stock syndrome in public pharmacy departments and ensure that federal health institutions are adequately stocked with essential drugs for medically challenged Nigerians.
They emphasized that a well-run Drugs Revolving Funds scheme could address the out-of-stock syndromes in public pharmacy departments effectively.
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The House expressed concern over the abuse of this initiative through the accumulation of unpaid supplies from pharmaceutical firms, leading to its eventual collapse.
They noted the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s call for an investigation into the activities of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, in order to revive the Drug Revolving Scheme.
The House emphasized the urgency of addressing the collapse of the drug revolving fund to ensure the continued supply of essential drugs to Federal Health Institutions and alleviate pressure on the struggling healthcare system.
When the motion was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, it was unanimously supported by members.
