The establishment of the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation is expected to provide a long-term solution to medicine shortages in the Maldives, Managing Director Dr Shah Mahir has said.

Speaking in an interview with local media, Dr Shah described the creation of the company as a "bold" step taken by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. He said successive governments had recognised the issue of medicine shortages but had been unable to resolve it, while the current Administration had opted to establish a dedicated company to address the problem through bulk procurement of medicines.

Dr Shah said the corporation is also working to strengthen the country's medicine supply system. He noted that the first phase of establishing an enterprise resource management system and an e-logistics system has been completed, which will enable authorities to monitor medicine stock levels across the country.

The State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation was established by a presidential decree in September last year. From 1 July this year, all pharmacies and employees previously operating under STO were officially transferred to the new corporation, which has since assumed responsibility for their operations.