StatePharma to Take Over STO Pharmacies Nationwide From July

The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation (StatePharma) Limited will assume operations of all pharmacies currently managed by the State Trading Organization (STO) from 1 July, as part of efforts to improve access to medicines and address persistent shortages across the Maldives.

StatePharma Managing Director Dr Shah Mahir said the company has already begun importing medicines and supplying them to the public in preparation for the transition.

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A total of 194 pharmacies will come under StatePharma’s management. This includes 193 pharmacies currently operated by STO as well as a new pharmacy established at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

The company has also been preparing the necessary supply chains, consumables and digital systems required for the nationwide operation. According to StatePharma, the electronic system supporting the pharmacy network is expected to be fully operational before the takeover takes effect in July.

Established to address shortages of essential medicines, StatePharma has identified the development of a comprehensive inventory management system as a key priority. The company is creating a dedicated online portal that will allow the public to view real-time information on the availability of medicines supplied through the government system.

In addition, StatePharma has launched a dedicated hotline, 1050, to assist members of the public in obtaining medicines through the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha.

The transition marks a major expansion of StatePharma’s role in the healthcare sector and is intended to strengthen the distribution and monitoring of medicines across the country.