State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited (StatePharma) is developing a new database to monitor shortages of medicines used to treat chronic illnesses across the Maldives, as part of efforts to improve access to essential medications nationwide.

The initiative aims to identify medicines that are difficult to obtain in different islands and provide timely solutions for patients who depend on regular treatment for long-term health conditions.

Speaking to reporters during a media tour of StatePharma's central warehouse in Hulhumalé on Tuesday, Chief Commercial Officer Ahmed Imaad said the company has begun collecting information from islands, healthcare facilities and relevant institutions to identify shortages and assess demand.

According to Imaad, the database is being developed internally and will eventually be accessible to the public, allowing patients, healthcare providers and relevant authorities to obtain information about medicine availability.

The company plans to introduce the system on a trial basis during the first quarter of 2027, with nationwide implementation expected to follow.

Imaad explained that the initiative would help StatePharma identify islands experiencing difficulties obtaining essential medicines, particularly those required by patients receiving continuous treatment for chronic diseases.

He said information gathered through the system would also help the company better understand medicine requirements across the country and coordinate supplies more efficiently.

"Our teams are currently gathering information from islands across the country and from relevant institutions. We are developing the database internally and intend to make it available to the public so that the same information can be shared more widely," Imaad said.

Efforts to Address Medicine Import Delays

Addressing concerns about delays in importing medicines, Imaad acknowledged that regulatory procedures and supply chain challenges had contributed to difficulties in maintaining consistent supplies.

However, he said StatePharma was working closely with the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and the Ministry of Health to resolve these issues and improve the availability of essential medications.

The company is also identifying islands with greater demand for medicines used to manage chronic illnesses, with the aim of strengthening supply arrangements and reducing disruptions to treatment.

Online Medicine Availability Platform Expected Soon

In addition to the planned database, StatePharma announced that a separate online platform displaying medicine availability and pricing information is expected to become operational within the next two weeks.

The platform is intended to make it easier for members of the public to check whether required medicines are available and obtain relevant pricing information.

StatePharma also confirmed that individuals seeking medicines currently unavailable in the Maldives can submit requests through its existing online portal.

Members of the public experiencing difficulties obtaining prescribed medications have been encouraged to contact the company's call centre at 1505 for assistance.

StatePharma was established to address longstanding challenges in pharmaceutical procurement and distribution, with a mandate to ensure the continuous availability of quality medicines and medical equipment throughout the country.

As part of the restructuring of the state pharmaceutical supply system, more than 190 pharmacies previously operated by State Trading Organization (STO) have been transferred to StatePharma.

The proposed database and online services form part of the company's broader efforts to improve medicine distribution, strengthen monitoring of shortages and ensure patients across the Maldives have more reliable access to essential treatment.