Lead Drug Formulary Manager

Job Description

Job Summary

The Lead, Drug Formulary Manager is responsible for overseeing the development, management, and continuous optimisation of the organisation’s drug formulary to ensure safe, cost-effective, and evidence-based medication use across all healthcare facilities. The role supports therapeutic decision-making, formulary compliance, and alignment between clinical needs and procurement functions. Through effective formulary governance, medication evaluations, and utilisation monitoring, the position enhances rational drug use, improves patient outcomes, and strengthens medication standardisation throughout the health system.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, periodic review, and maintenance of the drug formulary, ensuring alignment with evidence-based clinical practices, safety standards, and cost-effectiveness principles.
• Conduct clinical and pharmacoeconomic evaluations of medications to support formulary additions, deletions, therapeutic substitutions, and restriction decisions.
• Oversee formulary governance processes, providing technical support to the Drug & Therapeutics Committee (DTC) through evidence summaries, utilisation data, and medication review reports.
• Monitor formulary compliance across facilities, analyse deviations, and collaborate with pharmacy and clinical teams to strengthen adherence and improve prescribing practices.
• Work closely with procurement and supply chain units to align formulary decisions with procurement planning, medication availability, supplier management, and inventory optimisation.
• Develop and disseminate prescribing guidelines, therapeutic protocols, and formulary updates to ensure standardised and rational medication use across the organisation.
• Build capacity of pharmacy and clinical teams through training, technical guidance, and ongoing support on formulary management, medication-use policies, and evidence-based prescribing

Qualifications

• 6–10 years’ experience in pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, formulary management, or medication-use optimisation, with minimum 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy; an advanced degree or relevant certification (e.g., Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacoeconomics, Pharmacotherapy) is highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of pharmacotherapy, drug evaluation processes, and formulary governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in formulary development, therapeutic class reviews, and medication-use analysis within a healthcare setting.
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Must be a resident of Imo State or open to relocation.

Additional Information