State Pharma Chief Says Supply Chain Gaps Behind Medicine Shortages

The Managing Director of State Pharmaceuticals, Dr Shah Mahir, has said that persistent medicine shortages in the Maldives are largely the result of an underdeveloped supply chain supporting the health sector.

Medicine shortages have long been a common complaint, particularly in Malé, where patients often report having to visit multiple pharmacies to obtain prescribed medicines. Many also face higher out-of-pocket costs when medicines are not covered under the Aasandha health insurance scheme.

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The government established State Pharmaceuticals to improve access to affordable medicines and address supply issues. Although the company was formed six months earlier, it began importing medicines in April this year.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously stated that a solution to the medicine shortage issue would be achieved within the next two months.

Speaking to state media, Dr Shah said that improvements to hospitals alone would not resolve medicine shortages without the necessary infrastructure and logistics to support the supply chain.

He said the company is working towards new targets aimed at addressing long-standing systemic challenges. Since April, State Pharmaceuticals has supplied medicines for more than 1,000 prescriptions, but has faced difficulties in managing the full supply chain.

Dr Shah noted that importing medicines remains a challenge, particularly in the case of temperature-sensitive products that require specialised handling and transportation. He also highlighted difficulties in sourcing medicines safely from international markets.

According to Dr Shah, the government is working with relevant institutions to address issues linked to inconsistent prescribing practices and the wide range of medicine brands used across the healthcare system.

He said the long-term objective is to maintain uninterrupted stocks of all essential medicines used in the Maldives. Discussions are also ongoing with international manufacturers to ensure that specialised medicines, including those used infrequently, remain available when needed.

Research conducted by State Pharmaceuticals found that only 25 per cent of medicines used in the Maldives are registered with the State Trading Organization (STO). Dr Shah said efforts are underway in collaboration with the private sector to stabilise medicine prices and reduce disparities across the market.

He added that members of the public should begin to see practical improvements within the next six months as the company expands advance procurement efforts and strengthens medicine availability nationwide.