A year after Kudu’s petition, Parliament panel approves removing ADHD drug from banned list

A year after Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) raised concerns about an important medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being listed as a banned drug in Maldives, Parliament’s Security Services Committee on Wednesday approved allowing its import.

Methylphenidate, a key medication used globally to treat children with ADHD, had been classified as a narcotic drug in Maldives. As a result, it could not be imported or prescribed, leaving children without access to standard therapy.

The issue was first brought to Parliament by Kudu last year. His petition, submitted with signatures from 47 parents, highlighted that children and people with disabilities were being denied essential treatment. The petition was rejected by the ruling PNC supermajority on April 15 last year, after which Kudu formally filed the case.

On 18 August 2025, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) stated that scientific evidence supports the use of methylphenidate for ADHD treatment. However, the authority noted that the drug remained banned and therefore unavailable to Maldivian children.

On 22 April, Kudu wrote to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah expressing renewed concern over the delay.

A letter sent to the Speaker on 30 April stated that the National Drug Control Council’s recommendation on methylphenidate had been discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 26 April. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu informed Parliament that the Cabinet had decided to remove the drug from the list of banned substances and forward the matter to Parliament for approval.

He requested that Parliament take a decision on removing methylphenidate from the banned list.

The Security Services Committee has now unanimously approved its removal.

Parents who signed Kudu’s petition have also requested an investigation into why NSPA has failed to provide therapy and other medical support required by children and people with disabilities. The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs, NSPA and the Disability Council have been asked to look into the matter.

Notably, MFDA had already written to Parliament on 13 July last year recommending that methylphenidate be removed from the list of banned drugs.