Grace Egila
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has signed into law the Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency Bill 2022 which the State House of Assembly recently passed.
The law will address the challenges associated with access, quality, availability, and affordability of drugs in Government health facilities.
A statement, Thursday, by the spokesperson of the governor, Dr. Makut Simon Macham said the governor while signing the Bill into Law at the Government House in Jos explained that, with the new legislation coming into effect, the Agency when established will ensure that all state-owned tertiary, secondary, and primary health facilities get their drugs from one source which has a lot of advantages.
Lalong said: “The days of the out-of-stock syndrome will be addressed while the tracking of drugs will be easier.
“The agency will also ensure that the quality of the drugs procured is ascertained while those who store them will do so under a uniform template.”
He added that the Agency would ensure quality control by developing a standard operating procedure and addressing the issue of cost.
Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Plateau State Chrysanthus Ahmadu while giving the synopsis of the Law said, the Agency is also permitted to carry out the manufacture of quality and affordable drugs and other consumables as well as operationalizing the Revolving Drug Fund in all health facilities in the state.
