European quality medication now available at affordable prices in Maldives

The government has brought in European quality medication and started selling them at affordable prices in Maldives for the first time.

A joint statement released on Monday by Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, NSPA, Aasandha, MFDA and STO said that it is a pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to provide high quality medication for Maldivians.

To achieve this, UNDP and STO were tasked with bringing in a large quantity of medication under pool procurement, with the first shipment having now arrived in Maldives.

The statement said that the changes would be implemented in two stages. In the first stage, doctors will change how prescriptions are written. Information about this will be issued to all doctors, with time allowed for those who need it to familiarize with the changes. Hence, the changes will come into effect from October 1.

With the implementation of this policy, a number of changes will come into effect, including to Aasandha services. In the second phase, basic prices set for specific medication under Aasandha will be changed, with extra charges to be covered by individuals personally.

The first shipment has been brought to Maldives by STO today, consisting of seven different types of medication. More medicines will be procured in the near future, with three slated to arrive soon. The government aims to bring all fundamental medication needed in Maldives through this system.

The European quality medication brought in as such will be sold at significantly lower prices than currently sold by private entities. The government noted that STO will be selling level 1 medication of European quality.

Health Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel has previously told Mihaaru News that in resolving challenges faced, it would be arranged to allow in Maldives medication which has been granted approval in the European countries where they are produced.

The government said that these medications, like at present, would get full coverage through Aasandha. He said that this would assist in blocking the leakages in the Aasandha system and assist in price controlling.

"As a result, the best quality medication will be provided to citizens, and Aasandha spending on medication can be significantly lowered. It will pave the path to strengthening the health system," the statement reads.

Under this system, medication brought in will be those approved for use by authorities in European countries. Medicines will be procured directly from the manufacturers, which would guarantee safety.

In Maldives, the price of medicine is 15 times higher than across the globe, and 70 times higher than in other countries in the region.

Medicine imported into Maldives will be those on MFDA's Approved Drug List, in the same packing. As per the list, over 1600 types of medication are currently approved to be brought into the country.

As per MFDA regulations, all information must be completed if a medicine is to be imported into the country. However, with Maldives having a small population, oftentimes these documents cannot be received as manufacturer's lack interest in this market.