Promise to source medicine from Europe: Government shifts tone, says origin no longer a priority

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has stated that in importing medicine to the Maldives, the administration is not strictly focusing on products manufactured in Europe and the United States as previously pledged by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, but is instead prioritizing high-quality, verified pharmaceuticals.

On July 22, 2024, the government announced arrangements to ensure the availability of high-quality, European-approved pharmaceuticals in the Maldives at affordable prices. However, to date, President Muizzu’s administration has failed to implement these measures as promised.

During a press conference held on Thursday, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim addressed inquiries regarding the procurement of European-quality pharmaceuticals, stating that "quality" does not necessarily equate exclusively to European standards. He emphasized that while the government's policy has always been to import high-quality medicine, such standards are also met by manufacturers in countries like India and Bangladesh. The Minister further noted that the government maintains specific criteria and protocols for assessing quality. He explained that the current focus is on the measures required to strengthen and enhance the existing framework for monitoring and measuring the quality of imported pharmaceuticals.

Many of the medicines imported to Europe are also manufactured in India, Pakistan, or other similar locations. The country of origin is perhaps not the primary concern; what matters most is ensuring quality and guaranteeing that we receive effective medication. We have been organizing our efforts and focusing on the necessary steps to strengthen those quality assurance measures. Our focus is not specifically on Europe or Asia, but rather on establishing a system that ensures the public is provided with high-quality medicine without any compromise. That is the system we have now strengthened.

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim

President Muizzu announced that the Maldives would begin importing medicine from Europe during a press briefing on January 13, 2024, following his return from an official visit to China.

We will bring an end to the importation of generic medicine and transition to sourcing pharmaceuticals directly from manufacturers in Europe and the United States. This process has already commenced. God willing, in the near future, our country will import medications directly from original manufacturing sites across Europe and the United States. Consequently, our reliance on importing medicine from any single specific country will also come to an end.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu - 13 January 2024

In 2024, the government announced the commencement of bulk procurement and distribution of high-quality medicines approved by European health authorities. The initial phase of this initiative saw the introduction of seven essential medications to the Maldives.

Ensuring public access to high-quality pharmaceuticals is a key presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Despite initial announcements regarding the procurement of medicines from Europe, the task of supplying pharmaceuticals was awarded to an Indian manufacturer on May 9, 2025. State Trading Organization PLC (STO) has signed a strategic agreement with HLL Lifecare Limited, a company operating under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This partnership, established under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) or Janaushadhi Scheme, aims to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines to the Maldives at affordable prices.