Kwara Govt frowns at exorbitant cost of drugs in health facilities

Kwara State Hospital Management Board has expressed dissatisfaction over the exorbitant cost of some of the drugs pharmaceutical companies supply to health facilities across the state.

Dr Abdulraheem Malik, the Executive Secretary of the Board stated this during a meeting with representatives of the pharmaceutical companies at Essential Drug Project (EDP) of Kwara State Ministry of Health on Saturday in Ilorin.

He stated that the meeting was essential, because of the need to sustain efforts towards provision of quality and affordable healthcare services to the people of the state.

Malik emphasised the need for people in Kwara to get quality and affordable drugs in all hospitals in the state.

“The price of drugs are higher in our facilities than those purchased outside and so patients prefer buying from retailers outside rather than buying from our hospitals.

“We appeal to the pharmaceutical companies in the state to supply EDP at competitive prices instead of institution prices to enhance easy access and more patronage by patients.

“We are looking forward to an automated system of operation, so that we can monitor the consumption of drugs in all our facilities and keep more accurate records,” Malik said.

Also speaking, Mrs Loveth Oladele, the EDP Acting Project Manager commended the pharmaceutical companies who have performed their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in one form or the other, urging others to do same.

Oladele implored them to give all state facilities the best drug price possible while assuring them of a better mode of payment.