The Lagos State Government has begun a review of its Drug Access Expansion Programme aimed at improving access to essential medicines for residents enrolled under the state’s health insurance schemes.
The initiative, which covers enrollees of the Ilera Eko and Eko Social Health Alliance programmes, was discussed at a review meeting held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alausa, Ikeja.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the programme was introduced in April 2024 following repeated complaints from enrollees over drug shortages and incomplete dispensing at healthcare facilities.
“LASHMA conceived the DAE programme following recurring complaints from enrollees regarding the unavailability of prescribed medications and incomplete dispensing of drugs at healthcare facilities,” she said.
Zamba described the initiative as “a strategic intervention aimed at improving access to essential medicines and ensuring that enrollees receive complete, timely and uninterrupted pharmaceutical care.”
She said the agency had engaged an independent consultant six months after implementation to assess performance and gather feedback from users and providers.
She added that Lagos remained committed to healthcare reform and innovation, noting that the programme could serve as a model for other states.
“Lagos State has continued to lead healthcare innovation and social health insurance implementation in Nigeria,” she said.
Zamba urged community pharmacies and healthcare providers to deepen collaboration with the state to ensure the sustainability of the scheme and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
“We solicited more cooperation from the providers in order to ensure the sustainability of the Health Insurance Scheme and that Lagos State Government achieves Universal Health Coverage,” she said.
She also said feedback from providers would be used to improve the programme’s design and efficiency.
The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Lagos Zonal Office, Ibrahim Ahmed, commended the initiative, describing it as a step towards improved pharmaceutical access.
Represented by Taiwo Filusi, he said the integration of community pharmacies into the system would “continue to improve accessibility, convenience and efficiency in pharmaceutical service delivery across the state.”
He added that the review offered an opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges and strengthen implementation.
The Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, Dr Victoria Egunjobi, also praised the programme, saying it strengthened collaboration across the health sector.
She said the review would help improve healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.
The Regional Manager, South-West of the Society for Family Health, Mrs Jennifer Ladokun, also commended the initiative, saying partnerships remained critical to expanding access to affordable healthcare.
She reaffirmed support for Lagos State’s drive towards equitable healthcare delivery and Universal Health Coverage.