Gov Lalong signs Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency law
The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has signed into law the Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency Bill 2022 recently passed by the House of Assembly.
This law is to address the challenge associated with access, quality, availability and affordability of drugs in government health facilities in the state.
It would also confront the challenges of fake drugs, which is alsoprevalent in the state.
Lalong, while signing the Bill into Law at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos, Lalong said with the new legislation coming into effect, the agency will ensure that all state-owned tertiary, secondary and primary health facilities get their drugs from one source which has a lot of advantages.
He said, “The days of 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.
“This Agency will also ensure that there is quality control by developing a standard operating procedure as well as addressing the issue of cost.”
The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Chrysanthus Ahmadu, gave the synopsis of the Law, saying, “This Agency is also permitted to carry out the manufacture of quality and affordable drugs and other consumables as well as operationalising the Revolving Drug Fund in all health facilities in the state.”