By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government in its efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality medicines dispensing to ILERA EKO and EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) Enrollees, has reviewed the Drug Access Expansion (DAE) Program.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, in her opening remarks, during the Drug Access Expansion, DAE, Program Review, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, said that the agency remains committed to making healthcare delivery more accessible, efficient and seamless for residents.

Zamba, disclosed that LASHMA in April 2024, conceived the DAE program following recurring complaints from enrolees regarding non-availability of prescribed medications and incomplete dispensing of drugs at healthcare facilities.

She said that the DAE program is a strategic intervention aimed at improving access to essential medicines and ensuring that enrolees receive complete, timely and uninterrupted pharmaceutical care under the ILERA EKO Health Insurance program.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that in order for LASHMA to obtain direct feedback on the experiences of the enrolees under the DAE program and monitor its impact, the agency engaged an independent consultant six months after the commencement of the program, conducted internal assessments and customer satisfaction surveys.

She pledged that the Agency would not relent in introducing strategies that would assist in improving healthcare outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction across the State.

Zamba disclosed that Lagos State has continued to lead healthcare innovation and social health insurance implementation in Nigeria, adding that lessons from the Drug Access Expansion initiative could serve as a model for other States in the country.

While applauding providers’ support, diligence and efficiency, Zamba said that community pharmacies and healthcare facilities remain key stakeholders in the success of the programme because of their direct engagement with patients and understanding of operational realities.

She solicited for 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 (UHC).

The Permanent Secretary implored community pharmacies to actively participate in the review meeting organised to critically assess the implementation of the programme and develop practical solutions to improve operational efficiency as well as ensure that enrolees have access to covered drugs without stress and paying out-of-pocket.

Zamba stated that recommendations and practical insights from providers would play a critical role in redesigning the programme into a more effective, customers and providers-friendly model.

She therefore, assured providers that observations, suggestions and recommendations arising from the review meeting, would be carefully considered and integrated into the ongoing reforms by the Agency aimed at strengthening the programme.

The Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Lagos Zonal Office, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, commended LASHMA for its unwavering commitment towards strenghtening access to quality healthcare services and improving medicine availability for enrollees in Lagos State.

The Registrar, represented by the Director, PCN, Pharm. Dr. Taiwo Filusi, applauded the integration of community pharmacies under the ILERA EKO Healthcare delivery system adding that the initiative, no doubt, would continue to improve accessibility, convenience and efficiency in pharmaceutical service delivery across the State.

The registrar noted that the review meeting offered stakeholders an opportunity to assess progress made under the programme, identify challenges, share lessons learned and develop practical strategies for improved implementation and sustainability.

The Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, also applauded LASHMA for integrating community pharmacies into the social health insurance scheme and sustaining efforts towards improving healthcare delivery