The Managing Director of the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Ltd, Dr Shah Mahir, has stated that significant work remains to reform the administrative system in order to ensure the uninterrupted availability of high-quality medicines.
Despite the importation of medical drugs accounting for a substantial portion of the state budget, citizens have expressed concern over the persistent lack of availability of essential medicines. The State Trading Organisation (STO) has been responsible for importing medications from abroad and distributing them across the atolls; however, this system has proven to be both unreliable and inefficient.
In response to these challenges, the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation has been established by Presidential decree.
Dr Shah Mahir noted that numerous obstacles exist within the current system that hinder the provision of a reliable medicine supply. He emphasised that simply procuring medicines from manufacturers and storing them will not adequately resolve these issues.
“It is not merely a matter of the business of importing medicines. There are several systemic issues, as well as significant divisions and disparities within the health sector. Importing medicines into the Maldives is not limited to purchasing from suppliers and distributing them to storage facilities,” he stated.
To address these concerns, the criteria for importing medicines are currently under review, regulations are being strengthened, and efforts are underway to identify the most effective medicines in consultation with medical professionals. The Corporation has highlighted the importance of working closely with doctors to ensure that appropriate medicines are sourced and made available.
The Corporation further noted that maintaining a consistent supply of high-quality medicines is not, in itself, a commercially driven strategy. As such, the establishment of a specialised entity dedicated to this purpose reflects the Government’s commitment to prioritising public health over profit.
Although initial efforts have required considerable time and resources, the Government has assured that this initiative will provide a sustainable, long-term solution to the issue of limited medicine availability.