STO Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim has assured the public that commonly used medicines will remain available without difficulty, despite ongoing complaints about shortages and accessibility issues. Speaking to local media, Shimad acknowledged concerns raised by the public and stated that the company is working with the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) to address them.
Shimad insisted that STO is actively seeking solutions to the challenges faced in obtaining medicines and assured that people will not be left without essential drugs. However, complaints about unavailability persist, with many struggling to find prescribed medications at pharmacies across the country.
One of the key issues, according to Shimad, is that doctors often prescribe medicines by brand names rather than their generic names. This, he explained, creates confusion when the same drug is available under a different brand in STO pharmacies. Additionally, he noted that some prescriptions include drugs that are not on the approved drug list for the Maldives, which makes them harder to source.
While he emphasised that STO has made significant efforts to improve medicine availability, the public continues to report frequent shortages. Patients often struggle to find specific medicines, forcing them to either visit multiple locations or wait for new stock.
The issue of medicine availability has also been highlighted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who addressed it in his recent speech to Parliament. He stated that the government would further tighten measures on drug pricing and availability this year, following last year’s price control on 250 essential medicines. While these measures were introduced to curb price hikes and system inefficiencies, they have also contributed to supply chain disruptions, leaving many patients struggling to find the medications they need.
Despite STO’s reassurances, the reality remains that for many Maldivians, accessing prescribed medication is often far from straightforward. With continued complaints and reported difficulties, the question remains whether the measures in place will be enough to resolve the issue or if further intervention is needed.
