The Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA) was created by law in October 2022 to address issues with medication access, quality assurance, and cost in government-owned healthcare facilities.
The organisation was established with the goal of ending long-term drug shortages and creating protocols to guarantee that all state health facilities have access to reasonably priced, high-quality pharmaceuticals.
Despite these aims, the agency went inactive soon after its inception, and many citizens were unaware of its existence. Governor Caleb Mutfwang reactivated the moribund agency in May 2023, recognising the importance of a centralised entity to control medicine procurement, storage, distribution, and monitoring in state hospitals and clinics.
Governor Mutfwang appointed Pharmacist Kim Bot as Executive Secretary. The agency has subsequently begun to collaborate with healthcare providers and stakeholders to improve the healthcare system, raise public understanding of its functions, and build an efficient procurement system to ensure prompt medicine acquisition.
In order to provide fair access to medical facilities throughout the state, the organisation has established distribution channels and monitoring systems to keep tabs on the supply and use of drugs. Along with supporting regional pharmaceutical production, Governor Mutfwang is cultivating alliances with global and regional pharmaceutical businesses.
State Commissioner for Health Dr. Cletus Shurkuk highlighted Governor Mutfwang’s dedication to promoting the health sector during a recent inspection by the Federal Ministry of Health and other partners. He also commended the government’s efforts to fully operationalize the warehouse. Plans to hire qualified personnel and relocate the warehouse to a permanent site were also highlighted.
Pharmacist Bot expressed gratitude to the Governor for his commitment to the warehouse’s complete operationalization, praising his approval and release of over N88 million in funds as well as the supply of extra facilities. Nanna Mangni, a chemist who leads the inspection team, also commended the governor for her efforts.
The public has praised Governor Mutfwang’s initiatives to resurrect the organisation, pointing out how crucial they are to stopping the state’s phoney drug trade.
