Types of medicines imported to Maldives increased from 200 to 900: Minister

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim announced today that the State Trading Organization (STO), the country's primary medicine importer, has significantly expanded the variety of pharmaceuticals brought into the Maldives. 

Responding to media inquiries regarding ongoing medicine shortages at pharmacies, the Minister stated that extensive measures have been taken to resolve these issues, leading to noticeable improvements and relief for the public. He noted that as these solutions take effect, the country’s Approved Drug List and Essential Medicines List will continue to expand to meet healthcare demands.

Minister Nazim emphasized that while the situation has improved significantly, the government's ultimate goal is to reach a 100 percent resolution where citizens no longer face any difficulties in obtaining prescriptions. He explained that as services broaden, the government will rely on more suppliers to ensure a steady influx of essential medication. 

"I can confidently say that the issue has been largely resolved. However, we want to fix this to a level where no person has cause for complaint. Reaching that goal requires a lot of continuous work," Nazim said during the press briefing.

"As services expand, the Approved Drug List will also continue to broaden. Consequently, the Essential Medicines List will also be widened. We will also need to rely on additional suppliers."

Highlighting the scale of this expansion, the Minister provided a comparison of current and former import volumes. 

"Our main supplier, STO, has increased the types of medicines imported to the Maldives by many percentages. Compared to the previous import ratio, where approximately 200 types of medicine were being brought in, STO alone is now importing between 800 and 900 different varieties," Nazim stated.

Additionally, the Minister noted that 40 new treatment guidelines were established last year for the first time, helping doctors and patients determine the most appropriate medications for various conditions.

To further streamline the supply chain, the government established a dedicated company called "State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply" on September 9 last year. 

This move was part of a broader strategy to introduce new systems and institutional frameworks to address the long-standing complaints from the public regarding drug availability. By centralizing procurement through specialized entities, the government aims to stabilize the market and ensure that essential healthcare supplies remain accessible across all islands.