Kano DMCSA to Collaborate With BUK on Drug Manufacturing, Research

By Farouk Isa Musa 

Preparations to establish a workable synergy between Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Bayero University, Kano, are on top gear. The collaboration will revolve around drug manufacturing, sharing of knowledge, research, and training of students.

The Director-General of DMCSA Pharm Gali Sule disclosed this while receiving representatives of the executive council of the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), led by Pharm Gidado Yusuf, First Vice-Chairman of the association who paid him a working visit on Wednesday in his office.

The DG further noted that the remodeling of the Drug Manufacturing Unit of the agency, which is spearheaded by the state government, is underway, adding that the upgrade will pave way for the unit to meet all the necessary legal requirements and get certification from the regulatory bodies, namely the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC).

According to him, when completed, the proposed remodeled manufacturing facility would operate in a standard way and compliment the private sector for maximum benefit through producing drugs, quality control testing of the procured drugs, as well as receiving students on indistrial training from various tertiary institutions, especially Bayero University.

Pharm. Sule lastly commended the excos for the visit, which he described as timely and "honor to the agency," assuring them of his agency's total support and cooperation.

Earlier speaking, the Vice-Chairman of NAIP Pharm. Gidado Yusuf said they were at the agency to strengthen the existing working relationship between the two bodies, stressing that his organization is ever ready to support the DMCSA in any way possible in order to achieve the desired goals.

In his contribution, Pharm. Richard Ladapo, the Internal Auditor of the association, who is also a member of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), assured the DG that the USP is willing to provide the necessary training to DMU staff with view to enhance their capacity.

Supported by N.I., FAcE-PaM, Kano Health Ministry Organizes Capacity Building Workshop

By Farouk Isa Musa 

Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, through the Ministry of Health, has organized a 2-day workshop titled Dissemination Meeting on DRF Pricing Survey, which was held on 20th and 21st November 2024.

Speaking on the objectives of the meeting, Pharmacist Tukur Ibrahim revealed that the workshop seeks to compare the prices of DRF (Drug Revolving Fund) commodities at public health facilities and that of private outlets, as contained in a press statement issued by Farouk Isa Musa, Public Relations Officer of the DMCSA

Supported by the Global Affairs Canada Nutrition International and its funded "Forward in Action for Education, Poverty, and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM)" project, the meeting also tries to validate the affordability component of the DRF drugs and medical supplies, and lastly, to verify the availability of drugs and medical supplies at public health facilities.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the session and Director Pharmaceutical Services at State Ministry of Health Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu said the ministry is organizing such kind of capacity-building workshops in order to broaden the staff's knowledge and expand their expertise, with the sole purpose of sustaining of well-trained health professionals who will take over the mantle of leadership of the health sector across the state in the near future.

He further expressed the Kano State government's gratitude to development partners who always work hand-in-hand with the government for the improvement of health sector.

In their separate remarks, the acting Executive Director of FAcE-PaM Ms Dabis Mwalike, and the State Coordinator for Nutrition International Mrs. Victoria Aguomo assured the Kano state government of full support and cooperation of their organizations.

The facilitators at the session include Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, Bello Muhammad Dandago, and Nura Yahaya.

Kano Holds Workshop to Renew DMCSA Law

Farouk Isa Musa 

To restrengthen the healthcare delivery, the Kano State government, through the Ministry of Health, has organized a 3-day workshop to review the law that established the Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA).

Delivering an opening remarks at the workshop, which took place from 16 to 18 November 2024 in Kaduna, the Commissioner Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Pharm. Aminu Bashir expressed the determination of the state government to make policies that will enhance the health sector.

Revisiting the history of the DMCSA, the Commissioner pointed out that an attempt was previously made to review the law, but the attempt was unsuccessful, stressing that Kano has been seen as a role model by many states across the country, especially in the health sector.

He then gave his assurance that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure the law under review has scaled through, hoping that the law, when reviewed, will bring in the desired changes in the ever-changing supply chain management.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman House Committee on Health and member representing Kura/ Garun Malam Hon Zakariyya Alasan Ishaq assured the participants, on behalf of the Speaker, of a speedy consideration of the DMCSA Law review, adding that the members of the Committee and the State House of Assembly in general are always ready to accent any legislation that will move the state forward.

On his part, the Director General Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency Pharm. Gali Sule spoke on the importance of the workshop, saying the main objective of the conference is to renew the DMCSA legal framework in order to align with the current global trend of manufacturing, procument, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities in the state.

The participants of the workshop, which was supported by the UK Government's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO-Lafiya program, include heads of agencies under the Ministry of Health, relevant stakeholders drawn from different government ministries departments and agencies (MDAs), private consultants, the academia, and legal luminaries.

Meanwhile, the members of the Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Health who attended the conference were Hon. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), who represented Hon. Usman Abubakar Tasiu (Kiru) the committee's Vice Chairman, Hon. Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Hon. Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa) the Majority Whip, and Hon. Kabiru Dahiru Sule (Tarauni).