Medicine shortage being resolved: Minister

There are issues with procuring medications, but current measures in place are resolving the issue, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim has said.

Speaking with reporters a press conference held at the President's Office, minister Nazim said the government took action as soon as they became aware of the medicine supply shortage, adding that positive results are now observed.

He also said the amount of public complaints are considered when taking remedial action.

"Our observation shows that very good progress is being made. Hopefully, this administration's efforts will provide a major relief to this concern about medicine, because we can see the final picture very clearly as these things proceed in an orderly manner," Nazim said.

This comes as the payment reduction for medicines from Aasandha has made it difficult for the public to access medicine from pharmacies. Following public outrage, the government decided that all essential medication needed for the country would be brought by the State Trading Organisation (STO).

The government said additional measures are also being implemented.

Minister Nazim said the government is working to strengthen the system to increase STO's medicine, as well as to formulate SOPs to strengthen the governance of medicine related matters, increase the number of responsible human resources in the field.

Additionally, reforms are being made to the Aasandha portal for issuing prescriptions, and treatment guidelines are being developed alongside strengthening MFDA's system, the government said. Apart from this, STO's pharmacists are also being trained, according to reports.

"As a result of this approach, the challenges that existed in the past have been addressed and today we see progress. Hopefully we are confident we will soon find a permanent and satisfactory solution to this concern," Nazim said.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had earlier said that medicines were sold at 1,000-2,000 percent profit before the government decided to import the drugs via STO and the prices were lowered at the company's rate.

However, pharmacies had restricted issuing medicine because STO had lowered the prices, the president said.

"When the prices were lowered to STO's rates, the [other] medicine importers started to impose restrictions. When the restrictions started, a medicine shortage was created. This is the problem," he said.