In a significant development aimed at improving healthcare delivery in Cross River State, the State House of Assembly has repealed the Essential Drugs Programme Law of 2002 and passed the Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency Bill 2025 into law.
The bill, which was introduced by Hillary Bisong, the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency and Chief Whip of the House, was first presented during plenary on September 12, 2024. After receiving its second reading on September 18, 2024, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition, and Food Security for further review.
Bisong, who also chairs the Health Committee, explained that the new law builds upon the foundation of the Essential Drugs Programme established by the World Health Organization in 1981 and domesticated by Cross River in 2002. He emphasized that while key provisions from the previous law remain, the new legislation introduces a more robust and modern framework for healthcare management.
“The new law provides a more comprehensive structure for managing drugs and health commodities. It shifts from a programme-based approach to a full-fledged agency model, which broadens its operational scope to better address current healthcare delivery challenges,” Bisong stated.
Key provisions of the bill include the establishment of standards for the management and distribution of drugs and health commodities across the state. The new agency will oversee the regulation and circulation of medical devices, equipment, vaccines, chemicals, and related materials.
The agency will also manage the central drug receipt and distribution system, a crucial element in strengthening healthcare delivery, especially at the local government level. The bill is expected to enhance the performance of the existing Health Insurance Scheme and create employment opportunities for the state’s citizens.
The bill received unanimous support during plenary, with lawmakers affirming its potential to improve healthcare systems and generate jobs. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the passage of the bill and reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Assembly to passing people-oriented legislation that supports good governance.
