Minister amidst medicine shortage: Maldives can begin manufacturing pharmaceuticals

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has remarked that the Maldives can be transformed into a country that manufacturers pharmaceuticals, amidst mounting complaints regarding the shortage of medicine, despite two months since the establishment of a state-owned company with the specific mandate to import medicine.

Responding to a question from North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, the Minister said the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited (SPMSC)’s mandate is not limited only to import medicine from foreign countries.

In this regard, Nazim added that the company has the opportunity to manufacture its own pharmaceuticals and become specialized in the industry. He cited this as the only solution to difficulties in procuring medicine.

The Minister explained that creating a company dedicated to a specific purpose would produce positive outcomes. In contrast, he noted that the State Trading Organization (STO), which currently imports medicine, is engaged in multiple other business activities. Therefore, the Minister said that a company solely focused on pharmaceuticals would dedicate all its efforts to resolving medicine procurement difficulties.

“When a specific company for pharmaceuticals is established, the whole company and its board’s vision will to resolve this issue. To resolve the issue of [procuring] medicine in the Maldives,” he said.

Minister Nazim noted that while some countries have state-owned companies involved in pharmaceuticals, neighboring nations also have active participation in the industry from the private sector as well.

He emphasized that it is too “narrow-minded” to think the medicine shortage in the Maldives can be resolved solely by importing drugs from abroad. The Minister added that the pharmaceutical industry is far more complex than this and that experts are essential for effective solutions.

According to Minister Nazim, SPMSC is also tasked with developing the pharmaceutical industry in the Maldives, including the development of state-of-the-art medicine laboratories, seeking investors and identifying what types of medicine can be manufactured in the Maldives.

Notably, the ruling party dominated Parliament, on Wednesday, rejected the emergency motion submitted regarding the shortage of medicine in the Maldives, warning that the situation threatens the lives of patients with serious or long-term conditions, without debate.

The government had pledged to improve medicine access early in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure, including a commitment to source drugs from Europe. In September, the government established the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited (SPMSC), specific for medicine imports.

SPMC’s Managing Director, Dr. Shah Mahir, has stated it will take approximately four months for the company to begin its operations.

Shah, on September 8th, said the transition of pharmaceutical operations from the STO, will take time. Although the transfer of responsibilities is underway, STO will continue importing pharmaceuticals until SPHMC is fully functional.

Prior to SPHMC’s formation, the fully state-owned STO was responsible for bulk imports and sales of medical drugs, consumables, and equipment. STO pharmacies have been set up across all inhabited islands.

Once SPHMC assumes full control of pharmaceutical operations, management of these pharmacies will also be transferred to the new company.