Stakeholders Convene to Review Kano DRF Pricing Policy

By Farouk Isa Musa 

To reflect with the current realities as in line with global best practices, the Kano State Ministry of Health, through the Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS C), in collaboration with the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, has organized a pivotal workshop aimed at reviewing the current Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Pricing Policy. 

The DRF is a critical financing mechanism designed to ensure the sustainable availability of essential medicines through a cost-recovery system. However, changing economic conditions, inflationary trends, and supply chain challenges have necessitated a comprehensive review of the existing pricing framework.

Declaring the workshop opened, Pharm. Aminu Bashir, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, who was represented by Prof. Salisu Ibrahim Ahmad, the Director-General State Primary Health Care Management Board, spoke extensively on the significance of the DRF scheme and the need for reviewing pricing policy, noting that the DRF has long served as a critical mechanism for ensuring the continuous availability of affordable, quality-assured medicines at public health facilities.

"This review workshop is timely, and it has presented us, the participants, with a valuable opportunity to examine the current pricing policy in depth and collectively chart a path forward," the Permanent Secretary said.

"As with all policies and systems, it is essential that we periodically review and refine our approaches to reflect changing realities —be they are economic, logistical, or epidemiological."

He then challenged the participants to bring their expertise, experience, and insights to the table, "Whether you are a health practitioner, a pharmacist, a partner, or a supply chain specialist, your voice is crucial to the success of this review meeting. Let us approach our task with a shared sense of purpose: to develop a pricing policy that is fair, realistic, and aligned with our broader goal of universal health coverage."

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director-General Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency Pharm. Gali Sule explained that the workshop offers the participants a timely opportunity to assess the current pricing framework, identify gaps, share lessons, and collaboratively develop recommendations that will better align the policy with the health system goals and the needs of the citizens of Kano State.

Pharm. Gali Sule maintained that the Drug Revolving Fund is crucial in maintaining the availability of affordable, good-quality medicines across the state-owned healthcare facilities, lamenting that the evolving economic conditions, supply chain challenges, and the need for improved equity and efficiency have brought the DRF pricing policy under necessary scrutiny.

He further observed that the convergence of key stakeholders from relevant government agencies, health facilities, development partners, and community representatives —demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening the sustainability, transparency, and impact of the DRF in ensuring continuous access to essential medicines.

"We encourage open and honest dialogue throughout this session. Your insights, experiences, and technical contributions will be invaluable in shaping a more responsive, transparent, and sustainable DRF pricing model," Pharm. Gali Sule told the participants.

Speaking on the objectives of meeting, Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu, the Director Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health, said reviewing the DRF pricing policy is essential to protect access to affordable medicines while maintaining the financial sustainability of the fund, adding that the workshop is also an opportunity to align on a pricing strategy that serves the needs of patients and the health system alike.

According to Pharm. Kamilu Mudi, who is also the Chairman SHCSS-C, the meeting would attempt to review the current DRF pricing structure and identify existing gaps, to evaluate the impact of current pricing on drug availability and affordability, and explore global best practices in pricing models for sustainable DRFs.

"The objectives of the workshop are, one, to understand the concept of DRF Pricing Policy for sustainability; two, to update stakeholders on Intergrated Health Commodity Supply and Last-Mile delivery; and, lastly, to review DRF Pricing Policy," the Director Pharmaceutical Services stated.

Delivering a goodwill message, Alh. Abdulkadir Salisu Kabara, the State Team Lead FCDO Lafiya Programme in Kano, commended the initiative of the state to review the DRF pricing policy and called on the participants to engage in data-driven discussions and shared evidence-based recommendations to ensure the DRF pricing structure remains equitable, transparent, and sustainable.

The FCDO State Team Lead further expressed his optimism that the outcomes from the workshop will help in developing actionable recommendations for a revised pricing framework, inform policy reforms, and contribute to strengthening the overall efficiency and transparency of the Drug Revolving Fund system in Kano State.

The workshop, held between 24th and 25th August 2025 at Bafra International Hotels Kaduna, brought together key stakeholders in the health sector, including top officials from the state Ministry of Health, relevant agencies under the ministry, healthcare facilities, donor partners, health financing experts, representatives of community-based organizations and the workshop resource person Pharm. Ali Adamu who is also an expert in the health supply chain, Victoria Aguomo the State Coordinator of Nutrition International, and Amos Gwazalyen, the State Lead of Capacity for Sustainable Development (C4SD).