Managing Director of State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation (State Pharma), Dr. Shah Mahir, has announced plans to open a state-owned pharmacy at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) next week.

Speaking at a Parliament committee meeting, Dr Shah said the initiative aims to improve access to medicines, including for patients admitted to the hospital. He noted that difficulties in obtaining medicines in the Maldives are largely due to the lack of timely data on drug availability.

Dr Shah added that efforts are underway to introduce a system to track medicine shortages and locations, as part of the government’s commitment to improving public healthcare.