State Trading Organisation (STO) has begun work to transfer its pharmacies to the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited, a company that is 100 percent government-owned.
The transfer will be carried out in several phases, with the transfer of pharmacies scheduled to be completed by the February 15. More than 190 STO pharmacies are to be transferred under the project.
The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited was incorporated by the President on September 9 last year, under the powers conferred by Section 15 of the Companies Act.
The company was established with the objective of expanding the bulk import of medical drugs, medical consumables and medical equipment, and distributing them across different parts of Maldives.
The government is implementing extensive measures to address difficulties faced by the public in accessing medicines. These measures are already providing significant relief and progress.
The government further said the issue of medicine shortages will be resolved, with plans to increase the list of approved drugs and expand the list of essential medicines.
Medicine supplies have also been strengthened as part of these efforts. Imports of medicines have increased significantly, rising from around 200 previously to between 800 and 900 at present.