Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim expressed hope that the newly established state-owned company responsible for importing medicine will help address the challenges currently faced on this front.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu established ‘State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation’ (SHMSC), a fully state-owned company for the purpose of importing prescription medicine, medical consumables and medical equipment in bulk, on September 9th.
In an interview with the state media, PSM, Health Minister Nazim said the current administration’s policy is shaped with the aim of establishing a comprehensive healthcare system.
The Minister identified the biggest obstacle faced by the Maldivian health sector as its reliance on foreign nations for medical resources.
He emphasized the importance of having a dedicated company to import medical resources, aiming to establish a reliable and consistent supply system.
According to Nazim, the company’s administrative framework has now been finalized.
“I have high hopes that the company’s works will help address many obstacles we currently face, to establish a comprehensive [healthcare] system,” he said.
Despite the Minister’s remarks, SPMC’s Managing Director, Dr. Shah Mahir, has stated it will take approximately four months for the company to begin its operations.
 
Shah, on September 8th, said the transition of pharmaceutical operations from the State Trading Organization (STO), will take time. Although the transfer of responsibilities is underway, STO will continue importing pharmaceuticals until SPHMC is fully functional.
Prior to SPHMC’s formation, the fully state-owned STO was responsible for bulk imports and sales of medical drugs, consumables, and equipment. STO pharmacies have been set up across all inhabited islands.
Once SPHMC assumes full control of pharmaceutical operations, management of these pharmacies will also be transferred to the new company.