The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has assured Nigerians that all medicines dispensed under the national health insurance scheme whether branded or unbranded are safe, effective, and of high quality.
Director, Formal Sector Department of NHIA, Pharmacist Nuhu Ajodi, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during a sensitization workshop for self-paying government agencies.
Ajodi explained that the Authority adheres strictly to international best practices in social health insurance, which prioritize the use of unbranded (generic) drugs to make treatment more affordable without compromising quality.
“In social health insurance, we use unbranded drugs because they are cost-effective. But that does not mean they are fake,” Ajodi said. “As a pharmacist, I can assure Nigerians that unbranded drugs are of the same quality and efficacy as branded ones. What matters is that they are sourced through accredited and regulated facilities.”
He noted that all health facilities under the NHIA are accredited and routinely monitored to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical and service delivery standards. “No professional in an accredited facility will buy from unauthorized sources. Enrollees should rest assured they are receiving safe, tested, and effective medicines,” he added.
Ajodi said the workshop was organized to deepen understanding of mandatory health insurance and strengthen trust among stakeholders. “Following the presidential directive making health insurance compulsory, we must engage stakeholders to explain what it means and how it drives universal health coverage for all Nigerians,” he stated.
The Director urged self-funding government agencies to remit their health insurance premiums promptly, stressing that “without premium, there can be no cover.” He explained that timely payment ensures NHIA can fulfill its obligations to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and healthcare providers.
Addressing concerns over service interruptions, Ajodi disclosed that NHIA has introduced Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to guarantee uninterrupted care for enrollees. “We don’t want to hear stories of patients being turned away. If a doctor is on strike in a public facility, the enrollee should be referred to a private hospital. No Nigerian should be left unattended,” he said.
Ajodi reaffirmed NHIA’s commitment to expanding coverage, improving service quality, and rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Trust is key,” he concluded. “Our goal is simple to ensure every Nigerian, regardless of status, has access to affordable, quality healthcare without financial hardship.”
