STO Diversifies Pharmaceutical Imports to Address Medicine Shortage, Says Health Minister

Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim has said that the State Trading Organisation has diversified the range of pharmaceuticals imported to the Maldives as part of efforts to address the ongoing medicine shortage.

The minister said the government has made progress in easing the shortage, with a large portion of the issue already resolved. He noted that additional medicines will be added to the Maldives Approved Drug List as well as the National Essential Medicines List to further strengthen availability.

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He said the government is working closely with the public to fully address concerns related to access to medicines. He added that resolving the issue requires coordinated efforts across the governance system, including collaboration with Aasandha, the national health insurance scheme.

According to the minister, diversifying prescription drugs is part of broader work to consolidate medicine supply across the country. He said the number of pharmaceuticals imported has increased to between 800 and 900 items, compared to around 200 medicines previously.

He also said treatment guidelines have been strengthened, with 40 new guidelines introduced in 2025 to support doctors and healthcare providers in prescribing medicines more effectively.

The minister said that identifying a specific company and establishing a specialised system for prescribing medicines represented the most significant step taken by the government to address the issue on a long-term basis.