High quality medicine from Europe made available in Maldives

As part of ensuring the availability high quality medication, Maldives, in a first, has rolled out medications approved for use in European nations by health authorities in the nations.

A joint statement released Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), Aasandha Company Limited, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and State Trading Organization (STO) read that Maldives, in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to import quality medications to the country, has begun bulk procurement of medication under a pool procurement arrangement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

It was noted that all basic medications will be available with the new policy in place, adding that imported medications are purchased directly from the manufacturing company to ensure their highest standard of safety from the manufacturing process until deliverance to the patient.

“Under this policy, products that have been approved for importation in the Maldives and will be approved for importation in the future must either be WHO-listed, registered with a stringent regulatory authority or must meet the quality standards of UNDP and MFDA,” the authorities said.

The result of this, as per the authorities, is only medications approved for use by health authorities in European nations being available in the Maldives.

The statement detailed that the policy was being implemented in two phases. The first seven medications being rolled out under the policy in this regard, are currently available at STO, for both wholesale and retail.

As per the statement, changes are going to be made to Aasandha and all related systems to reflect the new policy. These changes have been communicated to all doctors working in the public health sector.

“These changes will be physically implemented starting from October 1, 2024, after providing the stakeholders the necessary time to prepare and after authorities conduct additional familiarization programs,” the statement further read.

The authorities emphasized that medications will be provided full coverage under Aasandha as at present despite the new policy. However, they said the policy would pave the way to control leaks with Aasandha system and control the prices of medications. 

The agreement with UNDP for bulk procurement of quality medication was executed by the previous administration in year’s June. Under the agreement, UNDP will procure medicine through the agency’s global health procurement services, providing high-quality medicine at a lower cost to the Maldives. 

Quality issues concerning medications imported to the Maldives have surfaced on many previous occasions with subsequent bans being issued against its use and consumption.

To resolve the issue, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in February, decided to establish a central monitoring system using pioneering technology and update the research on the quantity and quality of ingredients in medicines.