The State Trading Organization (STO) has reassured the public that access to medicines will remain uninterrupted as pharmacy operations across the country are transferred to the newly established State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (State Pharma).
The transition, which began this week, is set to continue until Friday and involves the handover of STO-managed pharmacies nationwide. Despite ongoing stock verification and administrative procedures, STO said customers will continue to receive pharmacy services without disruption.
In a statement, the company explained that current work primarily focuses on inventory checks and operational preparations ahead of the transfer. STO emphasized that medicines will remain available throughout the process and that patients should not experience any difficulties obtaining their prescriptions.
State Pharma was established by the government as part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening the national pharmaceutical supply chain and addressing recurring medicine shortages through a dedicated state-owned entity.
Under the government’s transition plan, all pharmacy services currently operated by STO will come under State Pharma from next month. The move aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to reforming the medicine distribution system and implementing long-term solutions to supply challenges.
State Pharma Managing Director Dr. Shah Mahir previously stated that preparations are underway to assume responsibility for a nationwide pharmacy network, including STO’s existing outlets and the recently launched pharmacy at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
According to Dr. Shah, the company is accelerating efforts to establish digital management systems, secure pharmaceutical supplies, and organize operations ahead of the transition. A key objective is the development of a modern inventory management platform capable of monitoring stock levels in real time and identifying potential shortages before they occur.
Officials believe the system will improve coordination between healthcare authorities, regulators, and suppliers, allowing medicine imports and distribution to be planned more efficiently.
The creation of State Pharma comes amid ongoing public concern regarding the availability of certain prescription medications, particularly for patients who depend on long-term treatment.
While immediate measures are being implemented to improve access to medicines, Dr. Shah has previously indicated that a comprehensive and lasting solution to the country’s pharmaceutical supply issues could take several months after State Pharma officially begins operations.
President Muizzu has expressed confidence that the new company will begin delivering tangible improvements within a relatively short period, with the government aiming to eliminate recurring shortages and improve access to essential medicines across the Maldives.
The transfer represents one of the most significant reforms to the country’s medicine supply system in recent years, with authorities expecting a specialized pharmaceutical corporation to enhance procurement, inventory management, and nationwide distribution.
