Gov’t to Enhance Medicine Quality in Maldives

The government has unveiled plans to purchase essential drugs in bulk as part of the strategy to guarantee access to high-quality pharmaceuticals for the population.

The policies aimed at enhancing medicine quality were formulated following deliberations among Ministers and subsequent recommendations made to the President. 

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These discussions were informed by a detailed paper presented by the Ministry of Health during a Cabinet meeting convened at the President’s Office.

State Trading Organization (STO), tasked with ensuring the continuous supply of essential medicines, will coordinate the availability of drugs across hospitals and health centers. Essential medicines will be made accessible in pharmacies throughout the islands.

Drug storage facilities meeting prescribed standards will be established, with a modern technology-driven monitoring system in place.

Additionally, Muizzu has emphasized the need to reinforce analytical processes to ascertain the composition of medicines, enhance capacity, and develop human resources to uphold medicine quality standards.

Recent incidents of compromised medicine quality, including the presence of harmful substances in certain drugs, have prompted heightened vigilance from authorities. 

Reports have highlighted instances of toxic substances found in cough medicines intended for children, leading to swift bans on specific products by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA). The regulatory body has intensified scrutiny, conducting thorough analyses to ensure the safety of pharmaceuticals available in local markets.

Notably, the import, sale, and usage of panadol, a commonly used medication, have been prohibited in Maldives following concerns over plastic contamination.

In a further effort to elevate medicine standards, Muizzu has announced plans to diversify sources of pharmaceutical imports. Moving away from reliance solely on Indian suppliers, the government intends to explore direct importation from Europe.