The Federal Government has approved Medipool, a group purchasing organisation, to supply essential medicines across Nigeria in a bid to lower costs.
Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate announced this after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. He said the move would allow government to negotiate better prices and improve access to quality medicines through bulk purchasing.
Medipool will operate under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and serve federal tertiary hospitals. It also aims to support local drug production and reduce reliance on imports.
“This is a major step to bring down drug prices and strengthen the supply chain,” Pate said.
He added that the FEC also approved ₦2.3 billion for a cardiac catheterisation machine at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto to improve heart care.
In addition, the Council approved a new national employment policy and renewed the Group Life Insurance Scheme for federal workers.
