The Kogi State Government has disclosed that plans are underway to establish a state-owned pharmaceutical firm in order to produced essential drugs and consumables for the people of the state.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Drug and Medical Supply Management Agency, Pharm. Mahmud Odidi Ozigi, in Lokoja, the state capital during the agency’s last quarter zonal drug distribution exercise held at the agency premises on Wednesday.
Ozigi noted that the drugs being distributed are worth millions of naira, adding that the establishment of the Pharmaceutical outfit in Kogi State will create job opportunities and generate internal revenue for the government while boosting drug supply in the state.
Identifying the need to decentralize drugs and medical supply in the state, the KSDMSMA boss revealed that plans are already ongoing to have over 60 companies duly registered in Kogi State with the Bureau of Public Procurement doing business with the State Government.
Ozigi promised that the agency would ensure that the drugs get to the targeted masses, adding that the agency’s monitoring and evaluation team will arrest and prosecute any individual who upset the efforts of the government to provide good medical services to the people.
“We intend to pursue a policy of continuous engagement with critical stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry in order to ensure sustainability of drugs and consumables procurement and distribution in Kogi State” he added.
He, however, pointed out that funds, and logistics are some of the challenges faced by the agency to move drugs from one end to another in the state.
