Challenges Persist in Sourcing Medication; Free Psychiatric Drugs from Sri Lanka Expected Next Week: State Pharma

Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir, the Managing Director of State Pharma, has stated that there are significant challenges in procuring the essential medicines required for the Maldives.

Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency, has sent a formal letter to Dr. Shah Mahir expressing grave concern over the ongoing difficulties in accessing essential medication, particularly for patients seeking treatment for mental health conditions and other chronic illnesses in the Maldives.

In response to the inquiry, Dr. Shah Mahir has sent a formal letter to the Member of Parliament. The correspondence outlines the primary challenges currently facing the country regarding the procurement and supply of pharmaceuticals in the Maldives.

The company stated that the Maldives' small population results in a limited pharmaceutical market, creating challenges for suppliers in meeting minimum order quantities. The company aims to utilize its established systems to develop accurate demand forecasts, ensuring that minimum order requirements are met and essential medicines are imported into the Maldives well in advance.

The letter also noted that when the company assumed responsibility for the import and supply of medicine to the Maldives on July 1, 2026, the absence of a required buffer stock meant that many essential medicines were unavailable in sufficient quantities or with adequate shelf lives within the inventory.

STO noted that efforts are underway to transfer direct supply agreements, previously established with major international suppliers, to the company’s name. The letter further detailed that following the completion of necessary procedures to formalize these direct supply agreements, it takes between four to six months to finalize the contracts under the State Pharma name.

Furthermore, the letter stated that starting from April 1, 2026, the company has been working to expedite the procurement of out-of-stock medications from abroad. Patients can request these essential medicines by submitting their prescriptions through the company's DigiPharma portal.

Regarding the difficulties in accessing psychiatric medication in the Maldives, the letter stated that when State Pharma took over the inventory, there was no buffer stock of Clonazepam available. Furthermore, the existing stock in the inventory is set to expire by the end of October. The letter also noted that controlled substances used for mental health treatment, such as this, require additional permits and must undergo rigorous regulatory processes in the exporting countries before they can be supplied.

To overcome the challenges in procuring controlled substances, efforts are underway to establish direct supply agreements with the companies that previously supplied these medications to the Maldives. The letter noted that while these agreements are being finalized, discussions were held with the Sri Lankan government to secure an immediate supply of Clonazepam without the need for additional international permits. As a result, a shipment of Clonazepam and other psychiatric medications donated by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health is scheduled to arrive in the Maldives within the coming week.

The company stated that despite current challenges in securing the country's required medical supplies, a shipment provided through a grant from the Sri Lankan government will soon be received. Once this stock arrives, it will fulfill the immediate requirements for patients seeking treatment for mental health conditions. Furthermore, the company assured that ongoing efforts to sign direct procurement agreements with major international suppliers will provide a long-term solution to the current difficulties faced in sourcing essential medicines for the Maldives.