Lagos Govt. to set up medical drug agency

The Lagos State Government says it has started drafting a bill for the establishment of a Medical Drug Agency to reduce the economic impact of the price of drugs and their availability on citizens.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos state Commissioner for Health, disclosed this during the 2024 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of the first-year anniversary of the Second Term in Office of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday in Lagos.

The commissioner said that the drafting of the bill for the Medical Drug Agency for Lagos State was in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

“We have begun the process of establishing the law that will drive the Medical Drug Agency for Lagos,” he said.

According to him, the establishment of a drug agency in the state will ensure price control of drugs through the economies of scale and bulk purchase.

Abayomi further said it would improve the quality of drugs in the state by providing additional quality assessments for drugs brought into Lagos for the use of its citizens.

He added that it would also improve the efficiency of drug movement through health facilities and reduce issues of drug stock out.

“More importantly, to make sure that every drug that is consumed in Lagos is of the highest quality and that there are no fake drugs in our market,” he said.

Abayomi said that the state would hold a medical mission that includes free distribution of drugs toward ameliorating citizens’ concern of high cost of drugs.

He said the extensive medical mission, which would start next week across local government areas in the six districts, would be targeted at vulnerable populations who require assistance with their essential drugs.

“This is where health insurance comes in.

“If you had health insurance, then you would not be vulnerable to the escalating prices of drugs because you would be able to receive your essential drugs free of charge.

“So, we are using this opportunity to encourage all citizens to embrace our social health insurance scheme – “Ilera Eko”.

“It is available online. It is available at any of our public health facilities,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, said the medical missions were geared to ensure that citizens had access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

Ogunyemi disclosed that the first phase would hold on May 30, while the second would hold on June 5 at the six districts in the state.