By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to Develop Nigeria National Prescription Policy with a regulatory framework to meet with the international standards in dispensation of medicines in the health sector across the country.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa during the inauguration of the committee on Monday in Abuja, emphasized that it is high time for Nigeria to develop its medicine prescription policy to be in tune with global best practices.
The Minister for State further reiterated that Nigeria is vigorously aspiring towards the achievement of the SDG 3 with the view to enhancing maternal and child health, as well as improving generally on the overall health indices through unlocking of the healthcare value chain.
He ascertained that these policies aim to increase access to and use of high quality and affordable medicines and health products in every country.
According to the minister, It is an honour to speak to you at this important event, the inauguration of the committee for the development of the Nigeria National Prescription Policy in line with the 3rd edition of the National Drug Policy.
“National Prescription policies are an essential part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) or healthcare for all.
“The Nigeria National Prescription Policy will provide the framework within which the relevant health care providers will operate to ensure rational prescribing and dispensing of medicines in the healthcare delivery system to address the above aspirations.
“Prescriptions will no longer be irrationally generated by unqualified health personnel and quacks; as the policy has designated those that should be involved in prescription generation as well as the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders of the healthcare delivery system.
“ Henceforth prescriptions will be written on standard prescription forms in line with international best practices and will be accorded deserving values in the interest of the patient.
“The Nigeria National Prescription Policy when developed, will have the laudable vision of ensuring a healthy Nigerian population with access to safe and ethical medicines prescribed by duly qualified, registered and licensed medical and dental practitioners and dispensed by registered Pharmacists.”
In shaping the sectors, Dr Alausa stressed that “Fellow professionals in the healthcare sector, I urge you to put every inch of professional sentiments aside and work for the interests of Nigerian patients and others that may be in need.
“As you answered this national call, do your best on the following Terms of Reference (TOR): To establish and evaluate present prescription system in Nigeria
“Source for international systems and identify gaps/lapses in the Nigerian system vis-à-vis international systems iil. To categorize medicines into Prescription only Medicine (PoM), Pharmacy.
“Initiated Medicines (PIM) and Over-the Counter (GTC) Medicines.
“To come up with roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in medicines prescription.
“To come up with stricter penalties for violators of prescription laws.
“To develop Nigeria National Prescription Policy with its regulatory framework.
“Any other thing that can guide/assist the committee to come up with a standard medicine prescription policy
“Finally, I enlist the commitment of all participants on this important task, as I proceed to formally inaugurate the Committee for the development of the Nigeria National Prescription Policy.”
In her remarks, Pharm (Mrs) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director, Food and Drug Services Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare, said considering the other processes of setting up the committee that their first meeting will be conveyed in July, and thereafter we’ll take off from there.
“ Hopefully, before the end of the year we should be done, so we’ll be having about three meetings, we’ll have a zero draft, we’ll come up with the first draft, we’ll work on this, come up with the second draft, we’ll do a validation and then we’ll have a final draft, so three meetings.”
However, the following are the Terms of Reference, National Prescription Policy Committee: “To establish and evaluate the present prescription system in Nigeria.
“Source for international systems and identify gap/lapses in the Nigeria system vis-a-vis international systems
“To category medicine into Prescription only Medicine (PoM), Pharmacy Initiated Medicine (PIM) and Over-the Counter (OTC) Medicine.
“To come up with roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in medicine prescription.
“To Develop Nigeria National Prescription Policy with its regulatory framework.
“Any other that can guide/assist the committee to come up with a standard medicine prescription policy.”
