Parliamentary summons requested for pharmaceutical company and FDA amid worsening ADHD medication shortage
Families and children struggling with ADHD are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of Methylphenidate, the primary medication used to treat the condition, in the Maldives. Despite being classified as an essential medicine, its unavailability has prompted Member of Parliament Mohamed Ibrahim to express grave concern over the adverse impact on children's education and daily lives.
Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency. | People's Majlis
Amidst a worsening shortage of medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a formal request has been made to summon the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) before Parliament.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the People's Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the Member of Parliament for North Galolhu constituency, Mohamed Ibrahim, shared detailed information regarding the matter.
In the letter, concerns were raised regarding the significant challenges in treating children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Maldives. Specifically, it highlighted the difficulty in accessing Methylphenidate, which is considered the primary and most essential treatment for the condition.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that the lack of a mechanism to ensure a continuous supply of Methylphenidate—the most essential treatment for children with ADHD in the Maldives—remains a significant challenge for their families. The member stated that as this is the most fundamental medication required for these children’s daily lives and education, the difficulty in obtaining it within the country has led to a deterioration in their conditions and fueled growing public concern.
Consequently, Kudoo has requested the relevant parliamentary committee to summon the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), and the members of the core committee and technical experts involved in the 2023 Essential Medicines List (EML) review process. This request aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the issue and to work towards a viable solution.
Furthermore, Kudoo noted that although this medication is included in the Maldives' 'National Essential Medicines List,' its scarcity has effectively halted access to a treatment vital for children's health. He highlighted that this shortage has created significant obstacles to the progress and necessary care of children with ADHD, depriving them of the essential treatment required to improve their quality of life.
Kudoo noted that neighboring countries provide Methylphenidate as a primary treatment in accordance with international standards. He further emphasized that the unavailability of this medication in the Maldives forces many children to travel abroad for treatment, describing the situation as a significant hardship for the affected families.
