State Steps In as Medicine Shortage Eases

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim has said that efforts to solve the medicine shortage in the Maldives are showing results. Speaking at a press briefing held at the President’s Office, Nazim said the government responded quickly after identifying the problem and has since made steady progress.
He added that public complaints played a role in shaping the government's response. “Very good progress is being made,” he said, expressing hope that the steps taken will lead to lasting improvements.

The shortage followed a change in Aasandha, the national health insurance scheme, which reduced payments for medications. This made it harder for people to access medicine from pharmacies, triggering public concern. In response, the government assigned the State Trading Organisation (STO) to bring in all essential medicines.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu earlier explained that medicine prices were marked up by as much as 1,000 to 2,000 percent before the government’s decision. After STO began offering medicines at reduced prices, some pharmacies limited distribution, leading to a further shortage.

To address this, the government is working on a number of long-term measures. These include increasing STO’s medicine supply, updating prescription systems through Aasandha, and developing standard treatment guidelines. Training programs are also being introduced for STO pharmacists, and more staff are being added to manage the sector.
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) is also undergoing system improvements to support the changes.

Nazim said the challenges seen earlier are now being dealt with, and that there’s growing confidence in the government's ability to find a lasting solution.
Both the President and Health Minister have expressed optimism that the situation will continue to improve as planned steps are carried out.