Essential Drugs Revolving Fund Scheme in Nigeria; from the Edge of a Precipice towards Sustainability

Abstract

Efficient and effective preventive and curative health care relies predominantly on the availability of essential drugs. Essential drug supply in most African countries is characterized by”. The cycle of terror”, which lead to de-capitalization and lack of sustainability of essential drugs revolving fund (DRF) system. This study described the DRF situation in Nigeria and ways to promote better management and utilization of the scheme. Electronic search of published studies and documents obtained from Google scholar, and PubMed was carried out using the key words singly and in combination. The eligibility criteria was used for selection. Studies published in English language and conducted in Nigeria, and those with defined inclusion criteria and ethical approvals were used. The study suggested that poor economic, political, structural, management and human factors, contribute greatly to DRF de-capitalization in most government hospitals in Nigeria.