Private sector has major role in supplying medication to islands: Health Minister

Private suppliers, in conjunction with the government, have a major role to ensure that the islands do not fall short medication, Minister of Health and Gender Dr Mariyam Shakeela has said.

Health Minister made the remarks at the inauguration of a workshop to discuss the findings of a study conducted by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority on ways to improve handling of pharmaceutical drugs in the country, held at SHE Building in Male’ today.

Dr Shakeel said that Maldives faces major difficulties in supplying medication to the islands on a timely basis and the government, in partnership with the State Trading Organization (STO), is working to establish a regular supply of medication to 56 islands that experience shortages.

The study conducted by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority from 26 May to 2 June evaluated practices employed in Maldives in handling, regulating and storing pharmaceutical medication.