Assessment of the Knowledge, Availability, and Use of the Essential Medicines List in the 36 States plus FCT in Nigeria

Background: The Essential Medicines List (EML) is an important tool in global health and supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a list that contains essential medicines that satisfy a population's priority healthcare needs. These medicines should be readily available in adequate amounts at all times within the healthcare facility and the country at large. This study assessed the knowledge, availability, and use of EMLin the 36 States plus FCTin Nigeria. Methods: The evaluation was a cross-sectional online survey that involved the use of Google Forms containing 11 EML-related questions with a mixed method of data collection. Aresponse was expected from one State representative who was either the Directors of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) or another resource person with extensive knowledge about the State EML in the 36 State Ministries of Health and the FCT who consented to participate in the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data via Microsoft Excel software 2016, with the results expressed as counts and percentages, and presented in the form of charts and tables. Results: Thirty-five (35) out of 37 representing 95% of respondents are the directors of pharmaceutical services in their States except for two States that provided other resource persons. All 37 (100%) respondents are aware of the document and know about it. Twenty-nine (78.4%) States have domesticated EML and 8 (21.6%) States have never had a domesticated EML. Twelve (41.4%) States of the 29 States with a reviewed EML have reviewed their EML since inception while 17 (58.6%) States have never reviewed the document since its inception. All 29 (78.4%) States with a domesticated EMLdefer to the policy document for procurement and planning in their States. Conclusion: The EML is an important document for every country's health system. The study successfully assessed the knowledge of the EML in the 36 States plus the FCT in Nigeria. The high level of awareness of the EML translated to knowledge and utilization of the document among the majority of the States in Nigeria.