NATIONAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION IN NIGERIA; IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GOALS OF NATIONAL DRUG POLICY

Ogbonna Brian Onyebuchi*

ABSTRACT

The place of effective and efficient drug supply and availability in sound health care delivery is invaluable. Nigeria, with an estimated population of 170 million people is a fast growing economy in Africa but faced with poor health and economic indices. A streamlined drug distribution system is in no doubt very vital in health care delivery sustainability. This article described the drug distribution system in Nigeria to provide information for planning, effective reengineering and streamlining of the present distribution system. The present drug distribution system in Nigeria is chaotic, porous and a serious threat to the National Drug Policy (NDP). Open drug markets abound with charlatans operating freely across the value chain. Out-of-Stock syndrome is very common in government hospitals. Drug management information systems are comatose. This situation continues to undermine the objectives of the NDP and takes its toll on the National Health Policy.

Keywords: Drug distribution, public health, policy, logistics, essential drugs, Nigeria.