Online access to drug information to be introduced in Maldives

Dr. Shah Mahir, Managing Director of the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation, says work is underway to introduce an online system that will allow the public to check the availability of medicines in the Maldives.

The corporation was established in September last year to specialise in pharmaceutical supply, but complaints over medicine shortages have continued. The company began importing medicines last month, six months after its formation.

Speaking on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme, Dr. Shah said a long‑term solution is needed to address recurring shortages, noting that the country spends a significant amount of money on medicines.

He said a digital platform is now being developed to provide real‑time information on medicines available in the Maldives.

“When the system is launched, we will know what medicines are available in the country, in what quantities, and in which pharmacies,” he said, adding that such a system is essential to improving access.

Dr. Shah also noted that the current system does not allow doctors to see what medicines are available locally, a gap the new platform aims to fix.

The corporation has already launched a portal and hotline to help the public access medicines.

STO, a 100 percent state‑owned company, currently imports and sells medicines, medical consumables and equipment in bulk, and operates pharmacies across all islands. STO has begun the process of transferring all pharmacies under the new pharmaceutical corporation this year.

The government announced on July 22, 2024, that it would begin selling European‑standard medicines in the Maldives to ensure quality, and said it had started bulk procurement in partnership with UNDP.