Short Term Consultant to Evaluate DRF Operation in Nigeria at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Overview
The DRF mechanism within Bamako initiative was adopted as the initial approach for sustainable financing of drug supply at the local level. Drug revolving fund is a concept that should promote access, ensure availability and affordability of drugs in public health facilities. It guarantees the sustainability of drug supplies and services. Its scheme focus is to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the essential drugs program. However, the current realities in Nigeria since implementation are still far from the ideal due to a number of reasons:

• Decrease use of access and equity
• Unreliable pharmaceutical supply
• Accountability and rational use of medicines still a challenge
• Poor management,
• Misapplication of Fund
• Purchasing of drugs at exorbitant prices
• Lumping of the proceeds of the Fund into a general account, and
• Non-reimbursement of the cost of drugs for exempted patients
• Inadequate planning
• Inefficient monitoring & supervision
• Poor inventory management practices
• Sub-optimal political will etc.

The PSM component of the Global Fund Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) under MSH  being implemented by National Product Supply Chain Management Programme (NPSCMP) therefore seeks to secure the services of a DRF Consultant to conduct an appraisal of the current practice in Drug Revolving Fund in Nigeria with a view to developing a prototype that will be efficient and sustainable for scale up across the states in Nigeria, leveraging on the SWOT analysis of the current situation. DRF Consultant will support the on- going effort to strengthen and reposition the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) in Nigeria.

Specific Responsibilities

• To evaluate DRF operation in Nigeria factoring the history and the current practices with a view to identify gaps, weaknesses and strengths to pave way for effective and efficient management that will reposition the scheme for sustainable drugs supply in Public health institutions in Nigeria.
• He / she is expected to travel extensively within Nigeria and engage with relevant stakeholders.
• He / she will assess various DRF structures and operations in different states and do a thorough appraisal and analysis of the current situation.
• The above will end with a presentation to stakeholders and preparation of a blue print document for the intended purpose. This document should clearly demonstrate the operationalization of the following factoring economic and socio-political structures in Nigeria:
  • Situation analysis
  • Reliability supply of low-cost and effective essential medicines, locally appropriate fee schedules,
  • Protection mechanisms to ensure equitable access
  • Continued or increasing levels of government funding for health
  • Business like orientation to personnel,
  • Finance management (effective and transparent fund management) and supply management
  • Strict measures to ensure accountability
  • Product selection
  • Quantification, Procurement, warehousing & distribution
  • Price setting
  • Determination of exemption policies
  • Audit and financial oversight
  • Local representation and oversight
  • Capital & investment opportunities
  • Required human resource and appropriate training and capacity building
  • Use of appropriate devices and technology
  • Measures for sustainability & ownership
  • Quality Assurance of Strategic Supplies
  • Roles of head of hospital Pharmacy and Composition of DRF committee
  • Implementation method: in phases or through a well-conceived pilot approach etc.
• The Consultant may also assume any other duty that may be assigned by the Director, Supply Chain Management.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a University degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, B. Pharm, Pharm D.
• A Master Degree in Public Health, Health Economics or Management
• Fellowship of the West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists is an added advantage.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years cognate experience in public and private sector health organizations is highly desirable
• Significant experience in establishing DRF schemes OR significant experience in operating, managing and evaluating DRF schemes in Nigeria or other Sub-Saharan African countries
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in health logistics, hospital Pharmacy practice, Medication Management
• Expert knowledge of the major issues affecting health products supply chain management and financing in Nigerian
• Good experience in strategic planning, operations management, organizational and change management, policy formulation and development are required
• Good understanding of Bamako initiative
• Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs
• In-depth knowledge of Nigeria health system with emphasis on her public health and supply chain systems; Essential Medicines Management, National drug policy etc.
• Rich background in health economics/Pharmacoeconomics
• Sound knowledge of Nigeria drug market and Public procurement policy
• Experience in public health coordination, leadership, governance, Innovation and research
• Competent in Logistics System design
• Experience of working effectively within a matrix management/ project management environment
• Experience in the development of national tools and documents
• Experience of working on donor funded projects- Global Fund, PEPFAR etc