The first pharmacy operated by the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Company (SPMCSC), established last year to address medicine shortages in Maldives, has opened today.

The pharmacy was inaugurated by Male' City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Haleem and the company’s Managing Director Dr Shah Mahir.

In a statement, State Pharma said the pharmacy will operate 24 hours a day to ensure uninterrupted access to medicines and medical supplies.

The company said the pharmacy was opened as a significant step towards improving public access to quality medicines and healthcare equipment.

The first State Pharma outlet will stock commonly used medicines, dispense prescription drugs and facilitate the import of medicines unavailable in Maldives.

The company is also preparing to supply medicines and medical equipment to patients admitted to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

For years, State Trading Organization (STO) has been responsible for importing medicines and medical consumables into Maldives. However, State Pharma was established in September last year to help address recurring medicine shortages.

According to the government’s plans, all pharmaceutical-related operations currently managed by STO will be transferred to State Pharma from July, including STO’s pharmacy operations.