TDThe Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive step to reduce the cost of medicines and strengthen the country’s health supply chain by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to operationalise Medipool as the nation’s official Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO).
Approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2025, Medipool is designed to aggregate demand for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies across both public and private health facilities.
By enabling bulk purchasing, price negotiation, and improved quality assurance, the initiative aims to make essential medicines more affordable and accessible to Nigerians.
Strategic Alignment
The operationalisation of Medipool supports several national health priorities, including:
- The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF)
- The Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC)
- The National Health Supply Chain Transformation Plan
It also advances Nigeria’s target of expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing to meet a significant share of domestic demand.
Minister’s Remarks
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative:
“The operationalisation of Medipool represents a strategic shift in how Nigeria procures and delivers essential medicines.
“By pooling demand, strengthening local manufacturing, and improving supply chain transparency, we are lowering costs, expanding access, and building a more resilient health system that protects both the health and finances of Nigerians.”
Whole-of-Government Collaboration
The event brought together leaders from across Nigeria’s health reform architecture, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the PVAC Secretariat, and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, reflecting strong alignment across government institutions.
The move reinforces the Federal Government’s broader health sector reform agenda to build a transparent, cost-efficient, and resilient healthcare system.
By operationalising Medipool, Nigeria aims to deliver better health outcomes and financial protection for citizens, while laying the foundation for sustainable pharmaceutical production and supply chain efficiency.
