Health Minister provides new timeline for permanent solution to medicine shortages

As part of the government's efforts to find a permanent solution to the medicine shortages facing the country, Minister of Health Geela Ali has announced that essential medicines will be imported and made available to the public before the end of November this year.

Speaking on a TV program, Minister Geela stated that while previous administrations had made efforts to improve the availability and quality of medicine, the current government has also made significant decisions regarding this issue.

Minister Geela stated that while the primary responsibility for medicine supply was previously held by STO and private parties, the government has now established a company named 'State Pharma' and is working to provide all necessary support through this entity.

Minister Geela noted that the company is currently establishing arrangements to import medical supplies, ensure their sustainable management, and facilitate distribution to pharmacies across the atolls. She further stated that the company became fully operational on July 1st, having already engaged with all STO pharmacies and their 706 employees, and that efforts are now underway to import essential medicines into the Maldives.

Minister Geela stated that the Essential Medicines List and the Approved Medicines List comprise a vast array of pharmaceuticals that must be imported from abroad. Consequently, she noted that the Ministry of Health is working closely with State Pharma to ensure these medications are consistently made available to the public.

We have met with all STO pharmacies and their 706 staff members, and the procurement of essential medicines is currently underway. We anticipate that by the end of November this year, all items on the essential medicine list will have been imported and made available to the public. We are referring to a very significant volume of pharmaceutical supplies.

Geela Ali

Furthermore, the Minister stated that the public is already benefiting from streamlined processes when sourcing prescribed medications through State Pharma. He added that the company is working tirelessly to ensure that essential medicines reach citizens as swiftly as possible.

Despite Minister Geela’s remarks, the changes introduced to the Aasandha scheme under President Muizzu’s administration have led to significant difficulties in accessing medication. Many citizens are increasingly complaining that essential medicines, which were previously readily available in the Maldives, are no longer in stock. Furthermore, although President Muizzu and senior government officials have provided various deadlines for resolving the crisis and ensuring the availability of pharmaceuticals, no permanent solution has been reached to date regarding the ongoing medicine shortages.