Two months after the establishment of a new state-run pharmaceutical company, complaints over medicine shortages remain high across the Maldives.  
The issue gained traction on social media this weekend after former Maldivian airline Managing Director Aishath Jennifer posted that she had visited 15 pharmacies in search of medicine for a baby, but found none. She said the pharmacies operated by the State Trading Organization (STO) did not have the required medication.  
Jennifer’s post sparked a wave of similar complaints, including from patients with diabetes and other chronic illnesses.  
One patient undergoing treatment for an autoimmune condition said he had been using Symponi-brand golimumab injections since 2023. While STO previously imported the drug every six months, he claimed the interval has now stretched to eight months. After being sold a substitute brand, Golimurel, his condition worsened and he had to seek treatment in India.  
Doctors in India reportedly told him the drug was counterfeit. He said the matter was reported to STO.  
The government had pledged to improve medicine access early in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure, including a commitment to source drugs from Europe. In September, the government established the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited to take over medicine imports.  
I have been to 15 pharmacies today . All major ones including , STO ge Maafannu , Henveiru , Dharmavantha , ADK near IGMh to get a medicine for a baby .If you know from where I can get Levetiracetam 100 mg please let me know . Now in my 16 th vana pharmacy .
— Aishath Jennifer (@JenniferAishath) November 23, 2025
However, the company is not yet operational. Health Ministry official Shah Mahir told Sun that it will take another three months to begin operations, as the transfer of responsibilities from STO is still underway.  
Shah said STO, while handling many functions, does not give full attention to medicine imports. He assured that once the new company takes over, prices will improve and availability will increase. Pharmacy operations will also be transferred to the new entity.  
One of the key challenges is that many prescription drugs are either not available in the Maldives or not stocked despite being registered. Some medicines listed under the Aasandha insurance scheme are also unavailable in pharmacies.  
Aasandha Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya told Sun that the company is working with STO Pharmacy, NSPA, and the Health Ministry to resolve the issue.  
STO remains a 100 percent state-owned company and has long handled bulk imports of medical drugs, consumables, and equipment. Its pharmacies are present in all inhabited islands.  
However, the creation of a new pharmaceutical company has raised concerns. Former STO Managing Director Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashad previously warned that the move could make medicine access more expensive and complicated.  
Despite the presence of registered drugs, many remain inaccessible. Medicines listed under Aasandha are often unavailable in pharmacies, leaving STO and NSPA to fill the gap, when possible.