Dr Shah says long-standing neglect in medicine import and stock management led to nationwide shortages

State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation (StatePharma) Managing Director Dr Shah Abdulla Mahir says the recurring shortage of medicines in the Maldives is the result of long-standing systemic neglect in the country’s import, storage and stock-management processes.

Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, Dr Shah said the health sector had not paid adequate attention to establishing a reliable procurement and stock-management system for medicines. He noted that although millions of rufiyaa are spent annually on medicines, the absence of a modern digital system has allowed shortages to persist.

Dr Shah said the first phase of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and e-logistics platform has now been completed to address these issues. Once fully implemented, the system will allow authorities to quickly identify current stock levels, forecast medicine requirements for the coming year, and ensure continuous supply to each island based on patient numbers.

He said the existing system does not allow doctors to see nationwide stock information, creating uncertainty in prescribing and treatment. The new digital platform, he said, will resolve this gap and enable real-time visibility of medicine availability across the country.

Dr Shah also highlighted efforts to build local capacity, noting that the Maldives National University has begun training Maldivian pharmacists specifically for roles within StatePharma. He said the corporation places strong emphasis on producing competent Maldivian pharmacists to strengthen the national medical supply system, and that students will receive practical training through StatePharma-run pharmacies. Priority will be given to training pharmacists for facilities in different regions of the country.

He said pharmacists play a crucial role in improving pharmacy services and strengthening the drug-delivery system, adding that expanding the number of Maldivian pharmacists is an important part of the government’s broader health-sector development plan.

Dr Shah said the government is working to bring the pharmacy system “under one roof” and resolve challenges in accessing medicines. As part of this effort, STO pharmacies are being transferred to the StatePharma network, consolidating procurement and distribution under a single entity.

He said the main reason for medicine shortages is the “age-old systemic problems” in import and stock management, including the lack of a mechanism to estimate needs in advance. The new ERP system, he said, will allow pharmacies anywhere in the country to instantly check availability.

“Compared to the growth of the health sector in Maldives, the supply chain has not developed enough. The situation deteriorated to where it is today because it was neglected in the past,” Dr Shah said.

He added that direct discussions are underway with major global pharmaceutical companies to overcome challenges in procuring medicines directly from international suppliers, noting that the Maldives’ small population often limits access to direct procurement channels.

Dr Shah said plans are also in progress to establish regional medical warehouses in three parts of the country, with StatePharma giving special priority to ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential medicines nationwide.