A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Pfizer has been signed to increase access to innovative medicine and to reimburse antimicrobial agents in Nigeria.
The agreement is a result of the agency’s medicines supply initiative, which was launched in October 2021.
As part of that initiative, a framework was developed to foster partnerships between pharmacy companies and the agency through an inventive cost-sharing mechanism, ensuring that medications are affordable for patients at treatment facilities.
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Pfizer West Africa Country Manager, Olayinka Subair, stated on the sidelines of the agreement signing ceremony in Abuja that “Pfizer’s partnership with National Health Insurance Agency is a significant and commendable milestone for infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship programs in Nigeria as it would address key affordability challenges that contribute to high morbidity and mortality in critical care.”
The Director General of NHIA, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, said his organisation was well positioned to accelerate access with the recent signing of the NHIA act which has expanded coverage for 83 million vulnerable Nigerians.
“The agency will continue to bring affordable and quality healthcare to all Nigerians, with the implementation of its ten-year strategic plan which is presently on course. As a health insurance regulator, we would work with Pfizer, the global drug giant to assiduously achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria,” he added.
“NHIA provides social health insurance in Nigeria where health care services of contributors are paid from the common pool of funds contributed by the participants of the scheme.
“It is a pre-payment plan where participants pay a fixed regular amount. The amount/funds are pooled, allowing the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to pay for those needing medical attention. It is primarily a risk-sharing arrangement which can improve resource mobilization and equity.
