State Trading Organization (STO) will transfer its 196 pharmacies to State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, with work set to begin next week. The transfer, expected to be completed by 15 February, will also include around 600 STO pharmacy employees.

STO has provided pharmacy services across the Maldives since 1984 and has operated outlets on all inhabited islands for over a decade.

The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation, established in September 2019, manufactures medicines, medical consumables, and equipment. Ibrahim Haleem serves as Chairman, with Dr Shah Mahir Mohamed Waheed as Managing Director.