FG told to make drug revolving fund scheme viable

The Association of Hospitals and Administrative Pharmacists Of Nigeria (AHAPN) has called on government at all levels to ensure that viable drug revolving fund schemes are put in place in all state and federal hospitals.

This call was made at the 20th Annual Scientific Conference of the association themed Viable Revolving Fund For Sustainable Medicines Availability and National Security, held in Porthacourt, Rivers State.

In a communique issued at the conference, the Association said the drug revolving fund scheme if allowed to operate without depletion of funds or decapitalisation is guaranteed to generate revenue for the health institution.

“Conference identified that lack of viable drug revolving fund in hospitals compromises national security, as healthcare delivery is poor and attendant economic effects.

• Police arrest headmaster for raping 4 school children in Enugu

“However, where a viable drug revolving fund (DRF) is in place, patient satisfaction with healthcare delivery is ensured, and prescribers and dispensers have job satisfaction leading to less brain drain, as operators are well motivated. Medical tourism will also be drastically reduced,” it read.

Meanwhile, the association suggested the viable drug revolving fund scheme  be allowed to operate for at least six months without interference after which the profit accruable may be evaluated, resolving that the head of pharmacy department be empowered to be a mandatory signatory to the drug revolving account.

The conference then highlighted the operational guidelines for DRF to include: Provision of adequate take off capital; appropriate training of all operators, setting up of a drug revolving  fund committee; and maintaining separate accounts with the Head of Department of Pharmacy as mandatory signatory.

Others are Protecting the integrity of the Drug Revolving Fund, Abiding by cost recovery policy, Insuring stock in warehouse and freight, Developing a guide on exemptions, Employing standard procurement guidelines, and Using appropriate accounting and inventory software.