By GARBA MUHAMMAD

The Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency (KADHSMA) has on Tuesday, inaugurated a 15-member Price Intelligence Committee (PIC) to strengthen transparency in medicine pricing and protect residents from arbitrary increases in the cost of essential drugs.

The committee, comprising government institutions, professional bodies and civil society organisations, is expected to monitor medicine prices across public health facilities, analyse market trends and recommend strategies to ensure affordable access to quality medicines in Kaduna State.

Inaugurating the committee in Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of KADHSMA, Pharmacist Aisha Tukur, described the assignment as a critical intervention aimed at safeguarding the economic well-being of citizens and promoting accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

She urged members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, impartiality and professionalism, stressing that their recommendations must be evidence-based and capable of guiding policy decisions.

“The committee’s responsibility is critical to the economic well-being of our citizens. You must be thorough, fearless and objective in carrying out your mandate. Adhere strictly to the rule of law, maintain the highest ethical standards and ensure that your recommendations are data-driven and actionable,” she said.

Before the administration of the oath of office, the Director of Hospital Services, Pharmacist Nafisatu Abubakar, presented the committee’s Terms of Reference and announced the unanimous nomination of Garba Muhammad as the pioneer Civil Society Co-Chair of the committee.

Muhammad, who represents civil society on the committee, is the Co-Chair of the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM), Chairman of the Alliance for Kaduna Accountability and Strategic Advocacy (AKASA Network), and Chairman of the Kaduna Health Advocacy and Media Alliance (KADHAMA).

The committeee draws membership from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Ward Development Committees (WDCs), KADMAM, Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (KSPHCB), Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Secondary and Primary Healthcare facilities, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), KADHSMA and the State Logistics Officer for Essential Drugs.

Its mandate includes reviewing and analysing medicine pricing trends, assessing the impact of regulatory changes, market competition and product innovations on prices, and recommending measures to maintain competitive and affordable pricing.

The committee will also collaborate with key stakeholders to interpret market intelligence and provide informed recommendations that support equitable access to essential medicines across the state.

Responding on behalf of members, the Government Co-Chair and Director of Logistics and Operations at KADHSMA, Pharmacist Musa Murtala, said the committee recognised the enormous responsibility entrusted to it.

“The Terms of Reference have clearly defined our mandate to monitor medicine prices and protect the welfare of the ordinary consumer.

“This committee is not merely ceremonial; it is an operational instrument established to address arbitrary price hikes, hoarding and exploitative market practices that continue to burden citizens. The success of this committee will depend on our collective commitment to transparency, fairness and accountability,” he said.

He appealed to KADHSMA and development partners to provide adequate logistics, technical support and access to reliable market data to enable the committee to effectively discharge its mandate.

The Inauguration of the committee is expected to strengthen medicine price surveillance, improve transparency in the pharmaceutical market and support Kaduna State’s drive towards ensuring affordable healthcare for all.

•PHOTO: The newly inaugurated KADHSMA Price Intelligence Committee (PIC) during the administration of the oath of office by the ES, Pharmacist Aisha Tukur.