Evaluation of Drug and Therapeutics Committee Effectiveness in Federal Tertiary Hospitals in North East Nigeria

Background: Drug and therapeutics committees (DTCs) serve as institutional bodies responsible for formulary management, drug policy development, and rational use promotion in healthcare facilities. Their effectiveness is a proxy for the quality of medicine governance in a hospital. This study evaluated the functional status and effectiveness of DTCs in federal tertiary hospitals in North East Nigeria. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was employed at two federal tertiary hospitals in Maiduguri and Yola. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 DTC members including pharmacists, physicians, and administrators. Document review of DTC minutes, policies, and formulary updates was performed. Results: Both hospitals had formally constituted DTCs, but meeting regularity was inconsistent, averaging four sessions per year against the recommended twelve. Pharmacist representation was present but leadership was primarily physician-driven. Formulary update cycles were irregular and not tied to current evidence reviews. Policy compliance monitoring was absent in both institutions. Conclusion: DTC functionality in North East federal hospitals is suboptimal. Regularising meeting schedules, formalising pharmacist leadership roles, and linking formulary decisions to clinical evidence reviews are essential reforms. Keywords: drug and therapeutics committee, hospital formulary, North East Nigeria, medicine governance, rational use