The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced its partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to establish a Drug Information Centre. This collaboration aims to address the critical need for reliable and credible drug-related information, ultimately contributing to a resilient and efficient healthcare system in Nigeria.
The Drug Information Centre is expected to significantly enhance healthcare service delivery, ensuring prompt and improved healthcare for all Nigerians. The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, expressed his deep appreciation for the vital role pharmacists play in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. He acknowledged their tireless efforts to provide access to quality healthcare, emphasizing that these contributions do not go unnoticed.
The integration of emerging technologies into the Drug Information Centre will create a valuable database accessible to healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, and healthcare consumers. This database represents an intelligent solution to address the critical need for reliable information in the nation’s healthcare systems.
The establishment of the Drug Information Centre aligns with the government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, which aims to drive Nigeria towards digital transformation and technological innovation. Embracing emerging technologies in the pharmaceutical sector will lead to new drug discoveries, optimization of healthcare workflows, and enhanced transparency and security within pharmaceutical supply chains.
Pharm. Ifeanyi Ikebudu, Chairman of PSN Abuja, expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing that the Drug Information Centre would provide accurate and comprehensive data to healthcare professionals and consumers once fully operational. This innovative step in promoting ICT deployment in healthcare delivery is seen as a significant milestone in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in providing universal access to healthcare.
The NITDA’s commitment to collaborating with the PSN demonstrates its dedication to improving patient care through telemedicine, better medication management, and remote drug monitoring. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, Nigeria can elevate the quality of healthcare and strengthen the resilience of the pharmaceutical sector in the face of evolving challenges.
Sources:
– National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
– Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)