The Lagos State Government has launched a major review of its Drug Access Expansion (DAE) Programme as part of efforts to tackle persistent drug shortages affecting residents enrolled under the state’s health insurance system. The move is targeted at strengthening access to essential medicines for beneficiaries of the Ilera Eko and EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) schemes.
The review was conducted during a stakeholder meeting involving healthcare providers, community pharmacies, regulators, and development partners in Ikeja, Lagos. Officials said the programme was originally introduced in April 2024 after widespread complaints from enrollees who could not access prescribed medications or received incomplete drug supplies at healthcare facilities.
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According to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the DAE initiative was designed to guarantee uninterrupted pharmaceutical care and improve the efficiency of the state’s health insurance system. She stated that the government had already commissioned an independent assessment to evaluate the programme’s performance and gather direct feedback from users and providers.
The state government also called for stronger collaboration with community pharmacies and healthcare operators to improve medicine availability and reduce out-of-pocket spending by residents. Officials noted that recommendations from the review exercise would be used to redesign parts of the programme and improve operational efficiency.
The development comes as Lagos intensifies broader healthcare reforms aimed at expanding insurance coverage and achieving universal health coverage. Earlier this month, the state government disclosed plans to close an estimated ₦100 billion healthcare funding gap through mandatory health insurance enforcement and stronger public-private partnerships.
Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi revealed that more than 1.46 million residents have already enrolled under the Ilera Eko insurance programme, although the government believes coverage remains far below the level needed for a megacity like Lagos.
Stakeholders including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the Society for Family Health praised the DAE programme, describing it as a critical intervention capable of improving pharmaceutical access, healthcare quality, and patient satisfaction across Lagos.
What You Need to Know
- Lagos is reviewing its Drug Access Expansion Programme to reduce drug shortages under its health insurance scheme.
- The programme supports enrollees under Ilera Eko and EKOSHA.
- The initiative was created after repeated complaints about unavailable medicines and incomplete prescriptions.
- Community pharmacies are expected to play a larger role in improving access to medicines.
- The reform aligns with Lagos’ broader push toward universal health coverage and mandatory health insurance enforcement.
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The reform could significantly improve healthcare delivery for low- and middle-income residents who depend on state-backed insurance for affordable treatment. Improved drug availability may also strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s health insurance systems, which have historically struggled with implementation challenges and inconsistent service delivery.
Implications
For healthcare providers and pharmacies, the review signals stricter monitoring and deeper integration into Lagos’ evolving healthcare ecosystem. It may also create new opportunities for private-sector partnerships in pharmaceutical distribution and health infrastructure.
Conclusion
Lagos State’s decision to confront drug shortages within its health insurance programme reflects a broader strategy to modernise healthcare delivery and expand access to affordable treatment. As pressure grows on public health systems nationwide, the success of the DAE programme could become a benchmark for other Nigerian states seeking sustainable healthcare reforms.
Lagos State’s decision to confront drug shortages within its health insurance programme reflects a broader strategy to modernise healthcare delivery and expand access to affordable treatment. As pressure grows on public health systems nationwide, the success of the DAE programme could become a benchmark for other Nigerian states seeking sustainable healthcare reforms.
Source: Punch.ng
