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Transparency in Nigeria's public pharmaceutical sector: perceptions from policy makers
Habibat A Garuba1, Jillian C Kohler, Anna M Huisman
1Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. habibat.garuba@utoronto.ca
Globalization and Health
|October 31, 2009
Summary
Nigeria's pharmaceutical system shows marginal vulnerability to corruption, particularly in drug registration and port inspections. Strengthening governance and implementing conflict of interest guidelines are crucial for improvement.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical governance
- Health systems research
- Anti-corruption strategies
Background:
- Weaknesses in pharmaceutical governance negatively impact health outcomes, especially in developing nations.
- Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector has struggled with corruption and substandard drugs, despite reforms by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the perceived transparency and vulnerability to corruption in key areas of Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector.
- To identify specific areas within drug registration, procurement, inspection, and distribution that are susceptible to corruption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized standardized questionnaires adapted from the World Health Organization assessment tool.
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in both public and private pharmaceutical sectors.
- Scored responses numerically, with lower scores indicating higher vulnerability to corruption.
Main Results:
- Nigeria's pharmaceutical system scored 7.4 out of 10, indicating marginal vulnerability to corruption.
- Drug registration and port inspection were identified as the weakest areas.
- Perceived corruption levels did not consistently align with qualitative evidence.
Conclusions:
- Despite NAFDAC reforms, Nigeria's pharmaceutical system remains vulnerable to corruption.
- Key deficiencies include the lack of conflict of interest guidelines, inconsistent documentation, and inadequate monitoring and evaluation.
- Targeted interventions and enhanced checks and balances are needed in identified vulnerable areas.
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