National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)- Invitation For Expression Of Interest For Branding Of NHIS Medicines By Pharmaceutical Manufacturers And Registration As A Drug Management Organisations (DMOs)

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME (NHIS)
INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR:
a. BRANDING OF NHIS MEDICINES BY PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS
b. REGISTRATION AS A DRUG MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS (DMOs)

1. INTRODUCTION
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is a body corporate established by the NHIS Act CAP N42LFN 2004, to inter alia, provide financial access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
In pursuance of the mandate, the management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) held a series of strategic engagements with key stakeholders within the Health insurance Ecosystem.

These engagements identified, amongst other things, the challenges of generic-medicine apathy by many enrollees and out-of-stock-of-medicine syndrome by healthcare facilities.

In view of the foregoing, NHIS has developed the “NHIS Medicines Supply Initiative (NMSI) to address the challenges associated with medicine stock-out and generic medicine apathy. Specifically, the initiative will engage Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to brand NHIS essential medicines for dispensing within the Health Insurance Ecosystem.

The Initiative will improve and assure quality and constant supply of medicines. TheInitiative has been approved by the Honourable Minister of Health.

Accordingly. NHIS hereby invites corporate entities to forward Expression of Interest to participate in the implementation of this Initiative. Interested parties must satisfy the under-listed requirements.

2. REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers interested in branding medicines for the NHIS, shall be:
2.1. Registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
2.2. Registered with Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN)
2.3. Be a member of PMG-MAN where applicable
2.4. Be a member of NIROPHARM where applicable
2.5. Certified by NAFDAC according to the Agency’s Terms and conditions
2.6. Possess current tax clearance certificate

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS (DMO)
Any Company interested in the provision of services as a DMO for NHIS shall be:
3.1. A body of experienced pharmaceutical industry experts
3.2. A public or private Organisation registered with CAC and other relevant agencies.
3.3. Operate with a minimum paid up share capital of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000)
3.4. Shall take up annual Fidelity Guarantee Bonds to the tune of the amount of business they wish to undertake. The Fidelity Guarantee Bond shall be renewed at least one month to the expiration of the current bond.
3.5. Have Supply-chain capabilities.
3.6. Have robust ICT systems for automated operations
3.7. Possess current tax clearance certificate.

THE FUNCTIONS OF A REGISTERED DMO include the following;
a.  Partner with the NHIS to execute the NHiIS Medicine Supply Initiative
b. Purchase the NHIS branded medicines from the manufacturers and distribute
within the NHIS ecosystem
c. Pay the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers within two weeks on the receipt of medicines
d.  Comply with key performance Indicators (KPls) as defined by NHIS
e.  DMOs shall be supervised by NHIS and work with NAFDAC to ensure products quality and avoidance of leakages
f. Registered DMOs shall develop and submit a strategy document for the achievement of their functions.

4. SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS
Prospective companies are required to submit their Expression of Interest In three (3) hard copies, with all relevant documents in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the appropriate choice (Pharmaceutical Manufacturer or Drug Management Organisation) at the top right-hand corner of the envelope and addressed to:

Executive Secretary/CEO
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
Plot 297, POW Mafemi Crescent, Utako District, Abuja.

Clearly addressed envelopes should be submitted at 3rd Floor, Executive Secretary’s Office, NHIS Headquarters, Utako-Abuja
Company name, Address and phone number of the company’s representative should also be written on the reverse side of the envelope.
Deadline for submission is close of work, six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.

5.CALL TO NOTE:
5.1. All submitted documents may be forwarded to relevant agencies of Government for verification
5.2. Original documents of any aspect of a company’s submission may be requested for sighting
5.3. Each eligible company is allowed to express interest in the manufacturing of different medicines.
5.4. Each company is required to pay ten thousand naira only (N10,000.00) to the NHIS through the remita platform as Expression of Interest fees
5.5. Possession of Health Insurance cover for staff of pharmaceutical manufacturers or DMOs shall be an added advantage.
5.6. Phase I of the Initiative will commence in seven (7) states and the FCT. The states are Osun, Enugu, Jigawa, Niger, Gombe, Delta and Sokoto.
5.7. The drugs to be branded in phase I include the following:

6. CAVEAT
NHIS will not incur any liability nor be required to indemnify any unsuccessful company which expressed interest to undertake any of the services for the Scheme. The Scheme reserves the right to cancel and/or discontinue the process of engagement without reference to the companies, which could not meet the criteria for engagement.

Signed;
Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo
Executive Secretary/CEO
NHIS Headquarters, Utako Abuja