MFDA classifies pharmacies and gives six months to meet essential drug requirements

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has given pharmacies six months to comply with a new two-tier classification system and ensure the availability of basic medicines required under each category.

In an announcement on Wednesday, the MFDA said the list of essential medicines that must be stocked in pharmacies has been reviewed and updated. The authority said the move aims to ensure continuous access to basic medicines for the public.

The MFDA has divided the essential medicines list into two categories. Existing pharmacies are required to provide at least 80 percent of the medicines prescribed for their assigned category within six months from Wednesday. Newly opened pharmacies will only receive their operating licence after meeting all drug requirements under the relevant category.

The authority said details of the pharmacy classification are included in the Guidelines on Minimum Requirements of Essential Medicines in Pharmacies. The guidelines will be available on the MFDA website, the Ministry of Health website and the Dhirithi portal. Further information can be obtained by calling the MFDA’s Medicine and Therapeutic Goods hotline at 7200321.

The government has established a new company, State Pharma, to find a permanent solution to the recurring shortage of medicines in the Maldives. However, concerns remain that the difficulties in obtaining essential medicines have not been adequately resolved since the company’s formation.