Fayemi signs drugs management bill into law

Approves N80 million for agency’s take-off

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has assented to the Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency Bill.

Fayemi said the law was introduced to provide a strong legal basis for the establishment of Ekiti State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency.

The governor, while signing the bill into law in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, as part of activities marking his third year in office, said N80 million had been approved as seed funding for the established agency.

He said that the bill would lay a solid legal background for the manufacturing, procurement, distribution, sales and management of drugs and medical commodities in the state.

The governor said that the Act would make Ekiti become a regional hub for quality healthcare delivery because, with it, the state would have the legitimacy to engage big pharmaceuticals on contract to get the best quality of drugs at the best prices.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, noted that the establishment of the state central medical store lacked the adequate funding and systems to ensure efficient drug supply chains and zero stock-out.