Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has announced that the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited has begun importing and supplying medicines to the Maldives.

Speaking on State media, the minister said the Government aims to ensure that essential medicines are available in all islands without disruption. He noted that establishing a specialised State-owned pharmaceutical company was an important step taken to address challenges in the country’s medicine supply system.

Minister Nazim said the company has already started importing medicines and is working to ensure that both essential medicines and approved pharmaceutical products are readily available across the country.

The minister added that the Government is closely monitoring the company’s work and that its board will focus on identifying and resolving issues within the national medicine supply chain.

The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited was established in September 2025 to strengthen the import, procurement and distribution of medicines, medical consumables and medical equipment in the Maldives. The Government has stated that the company will play a key role in ensuring an uninterrupted supply of medicines to healthcare facilities nationwide.

Minister Nazim also noted that discussions are underway to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies in the Maldives and Sri Lanka to further improve the country’s medicine supply services.

As part of efforts to address medicine shortages in the country, the State Trading Organisation (STO) has also expanded its medicine import programme, increasing the number of medicines imported from 200 to around over 800 types.