Strengthening sustainable drug supply systems

Monday Egume with Ed Vreeke, 2008

Acute shortages of drugs and medical supplies in public health facilities were endemic in most states in Nigeria when the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS) programme first started. These shortages were undermining efforts to improve health care delivery. From the outset, it was apparent that the supply of essential drugs would be fundamental to the success of other initiatives to strengthen the health delivery system in Nigeria. This therefore became a key entry strategy for the PATHS programme.

Participating states established Drug Revolving Funds (DRFs) for secondary and primary health care levels early on in the programme. DRF models, which had been developed earlier in Nigeria, were reviewed and a new model was designed. This captured the best elements of previous models and took into account lessons learned from previous implementation experiences. All PATHS-supported states rolled out a sustainable drug supply system across the state.

This paper discusses the PATHS programme’s experience implementing DRFs and their underpinning financial management systems in various Nigerian states. It explores the impact of DRFs on drug availability plus the effect of availability on community confidence in local health facilities and on government involvement in DRFs.

Produced as part of the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS) programme.