Managing Director of the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (StatePharma), Dr Shah Mahir, has said the company has begun accepting prescriptions directly through its pharmacies, in addition to its portal, to help address difficulties faced by patients in obtaining medicines.

Speaking on MMTV’s Adhaa Hama programme, Dr Shah Mahir said the decision was taken after numerous complaints were received from people facing challenges uploading prescriptions to the online portal.

He stated that prescriptions can now be submitted directly at the newly opened StatePharma pharmacy at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), aimed at making the process of obtaining medicine easier for patients.

In addition, Dr Shah Mahir said the company is also working to ensure medicines requested through the pharmacy are provided within two weeks of prescription submission.

He noted that access to medicines remains a major concern for many patients, with StatePharma continuing to receive complaints regarding delays and difficulties in obtaining certain medicines. 

Dr Shah Mahir explained that the pharmacy was established to provide medicines for outpatient prescriptions, supply medicines required for admitted patients in coordination with the hospital, and provide consumables and medicines needed for internal hospital use. He added that the pharmacy would also help supply medicines that are difficult to obtain in the Maldives, including certain antibiotics.

He further stated that State Pharma is working closely with IGMH’s management and clinical teams to improve pharmaceutical services at the hospital.

The Managing Director also revealed that processes previously handled internally through Aasandha and NSPA-related uploads are now being managed by StatePharma.

In addition, he said work is underway to bring 193 pharmacies currently operated under STO across the Maldives under StatePharma’s management, with the aim of completing the transition by 1 July.