StatePharma to collaborate with AstraZeneca for medicine procurement

StatePharma, the government-owned pharmaceutical company, has begun collaborating with AstraZeneca, one of Europe's leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, to enhance the procurement of medicine.

According to StatePharma, senior officials from the company recently held discussions with representatives of AstraZeneca on strategies to enhance access to essential medicines and healthcare services required in the country.

The company said the meeting focused on strengthening mechanisms for the reliable procurement of essential medicines and establishing a long-term partnership between the two organizations. Discussions also explored priority areas for further developing the Maldivian healthcare system.

StatePharma said its primary objective is to ensure the availability of high-quality medicines for the Maldivian public. To achieve this, the company is working to strengthen the health sector by building partnerships with leading international pharmaceutical manufacturers. It added that these collaborations are expected to improve the nationwide availability of quality medicines.

AstraZeneca was among the principal suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the Maldives during the global pandemic.

Meanwhile, StatePharma Managing Director Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir has stated plans are underway to establish regional medical warehouses in three locations across the Maldives. Speaking on a program by the national radio ‘Ahaashey Bunaanan’, he said the project is currently in the planning stage.

The shortage of medicines has remained a longstanding public concern in the Maldives, with many patients reporting difficulties in obtaining prescribed medication and facing high out-of-pocket costs for medicines not covered under the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha.

StatePharma was established to help address these challenges and improve the country's pharmaceutical supply chain. The company officially commenced medicine import operations in April, six months after it was established.