Posted on: Fri 22-04-2022

MANAGEMENT of National Orthopaedic Hospital at Igbobi in Lagos has denied allegations the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme in the hospital is in a shambles.

A statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Adenike Ayo, described allegations the hospital’s medical director handles the procurement process of drugs as libellous and malicious.

Mrs. Ayo said the purported letter signed by the president of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), alleging that the DRF scheme in the hospital is in a shambles, is untrue.

The statement reads: “The unfair description of the Head of Pharmacy Department of the hospital, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, a seasoned pharmacist, and a former state and national executive of PSN as an ‘acolyte,’ is unfortunate.

“Our responsibility as leaders in the health sector should be to engender a robust and effective health sector that will deliver comprehensive, safe and affordable health service to Nigerians, and not to engage in a libellous smear campaign. Despite the attempted distractions, the management is committed to top class and affordable health care to Nigerians.”

Mrs. Ayo reiterated that drug procurement in the hospital follows guidelines as recommended in the National Drug Policy, 3rd edition 2021, Section 4.2 (IV, Page 8), which states that ‘procurement shall be by open competitive tender and in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007 … and shall be conducted transparently with the advice of the Pharmacy Department of health facilities’.

According to her, the hospital’s DRF Committee is responsible for all processes in the procurement of drugs. The committee, she added, comprises a surgeon, heads of Pharmacy, Procurement, Accounts, Audit, Nursing, Legal Unit and head of Pharmacy Store.

“This diverse and multidisciplinary nature of membership ensures that no individual can influence the process. It ensures the availability of affordable, safe and quality drugs. Process of pre-qualification, technical and financial bid review, and selection of drug suppliers is carried out by the committee of which the medical director is not a member…

“The National Drug policy of 2005 ignorantly referred to in the letter is outdated and has been replaced by the National Drug policy of 2021, which takes into cognisance the Public Procurement Act 2007 in Section 4.2, sub-section IV page 8 and Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of 2016.

“The DRF scheme like all other revolving schemes in the institution is highly functional and healthier than it has been… This is reflected in the range of drugs made available to patients and marked reduction in ‘out-of-stock phenomenon’… The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, does not owe any drug supplier and that payments are made when due process is concluded which is usually…

“Drug supply, distribution, prescription and dispensing are automated and on electronic record, easy for auditing.”

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