The prices of  medical drugs are set  to  increase tremendously if the National Health Insurance Authority does not revise its payment procedure to service providers.

According to wholesalers and distributors of medical drugs, it takes 9 months for the NHIA to pay for services rendered to patients and health facilities, something they have described as unacceptable.

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Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Pharmacies, Anthony Amegah in a press briefing said,  “It takes 9 months for the NHIS to pay service providers, before they in turn pay you the importer.”

Given that importers acquire a 90-days credit, the NHIA’s current payment process is taking a negative toll on their business.

“In this case what do you as an importer do? You have to go for bank loans. And  the interest on the loans must be borne by the customer”, Mr. Amegah said.