Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that the newly formed State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited will serve a broader purpose than importing medicine, emphasising that the Maldives has the capacity to eventually develop its own pharmaceutical industry.
Responding to a parliamentary question from North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim, the Minister noted that medicine imports have historically been channelled through STO. However, as STO operates across a wide range of sectors, it has not been positioned to focus exclusively on pharmaceutical supply. He said this has created the need for a dedicated state enterprise with the ability to prioritise and manage the issue more effectively.
Nazim explained that many countries operate specialised pharmaceutical companies to ensure long-term planning, stronger oversight, and clearer accountability. The purpose of the new Maldivian corporation, he said, is to take a more structured and sector-wide approach. This includes assessing national demand, identifying reliable manufacturers, strengthening links with regional suppliers, and developing laboratory and research capacity. He also noted that neighbouring countries already produce a significant portion of their own medicines, and that the Maldives should explore similar opportunities through research, investment, and industry development.
His remarks come against the backdrop of recent medicine shortages. Reforms to Aasandha pricing resulted in the halt of imports of certain drugs, while the issuance of several medicines already available in the country was also suspended for various reasons. These developments created nationwide supply pressures earlier in the year.
To address these challenges, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu established the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation on 7 September with the aim of centralising and improving the country’s medicine supply system. Nazim said the initiative should be viewed as part of a broader transition within the health sector, pointing to recent efforts to develop local capacity in areas such as medical and nursing education.
The corporation’s Managing Director, Dr Shah Mahir, told Mihaaru News last month that work is underway to transfer medicine supply responsibilities from existing entities to the new company. He estimated that the corporation will take between three and six months to become fully operational.
