StatePharma meets Baa Atoll Council to address medicine shortages and improve access across island communities

StatePharma, said Monday, that it has begun working to identify and address difficulties in accessing medicines across the country. The company said Managing Director Dr. Shah Mahir and senior officials met with the Baa Atoll Eydhafushi Council as part of this effort.

The meeting was attended by members of the Eydhafushi Council, who shared concerns about the availability of essential medicines, including drugs required by patients undergoing long‑term treatment for chronic illnesses. They also discussed ways to improve the flow of information about StatePharma’s services to island communities through local councils.

During the meeting, the Managing Director briefed council members on the company’s special plan, formulated under government policy, to ease the difficulties faced by the public. He assured that StatePharma aims to provide quality medicines through a strengthened and reliable system.

StatePharma said it is conducting a series of meetings in atolls to identify obstacles in accessing medicines in rural areas and to build a stronger national policy framework.

In recent days, there have been numerous complaints about medicine shortages in Male’. The government established StatePharma to address these concerns and resolve long‑standing supply issues. However, the company began importing medicines only in April, six months after its inception. Shortages remain a common complaint, with many people reporting that they must visit multiple pharmacies to find prescribed medicines, and often pay significantly more out of pocket when drugs are not covered by Aasandha.