Weak logistics and fragmented procurement driving medicine shortages, says Dr Shah

State Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Dr Shah Mahir says the ongoing difficulty in securing medicines is rooted in the lack of a developed supply chain to support the health sector.

There have long been widespread complaints about medicine shortages in Male'. The government established a pharmaceutical company to address these concerns, though the company only began importing medicines in April, six months after it was formed.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said a solution to the medicine shortage will be achieved within the next two months.

Speaking to state media, Dr Shah said that regardless of how modern hospitals become, the absence of proper infrastructure and logistics remains the biggest barrier to ensuring medicine availability.

He said the state‑run pharmaceutical company is now working toward new targets to address systemic issues. Since April 2020, the company has supplied medicines for more than 1,000 prescriptions, but has faced challenges in managing the entire supply chain. In addition to import difficulties, he noted the challenges of procuring temperature‑sensitive medicines and sourcing them safely from international markets. He added that the government is working with other institutions to resolve issues arising from inconsistent prescribing practices and the wide variation in brands.

Dr Shah said the permanent solution is to maintain continuous stock of all essential medicines, adding that discussions are underway with international manufacturers to ensure that rarely used specialty medicines remain available.

“The permanent solution is to keep all the medicines used in Maldives in stock. That’s how this can be sustained in the long run,” Dr Shah Mahir said.

According to research conducted by the pharmaceutical company, only 25 percent of medicines used in Maldives are registered with STO. Dr Shah said the government is working with the private sector to stabilise prices and reduce disparities across the system.

He also assured that the public will begin to see practical improvements within the next six months as efforts continue to import medicines in advance and ensure availability across the country.

State Pharma was established to import quality medicines at affordable prices and improve access for the public.

Medicine shortages remain one of the most common complaints nationwide, with many people reporting that they must visit multiple pharmacies to find prescribed drugs, and often pay significantly more out of pocket when medicines are not covered by Aasandha.