The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has decided to control the prices of 250 medicines issued under the Aasandha scheme.

NSPA said in a press release tonight that the changes are part of its efforts to ensure that the national system of social health insurance, Aasandha Scheme, is a sustainable and quality service delivery system.

"To achieve these objectives, the prices of the 250 most prescribed drugs will be adjusted under the scheme. The prices of 87 drugs undergoing a price review will be adjusted from 1 November 2024 and 126 from 24 November 2024 as part of this phased approach," NSPA stated.

They further stated that the details of the price revisions will be available on the Aasandha company's website from these dates. The measures will reduce the price of medicines that were previously sold at higher prices and reduce the cost of the Aasandha scheme. NSPA estimates that it will save about MVR 220 million annually from the cost of medicines.

"This change will not change the arrangement of free medicines for the people through the Aasandha scheme. Any one of the brands of the medicines included in this list will be available through STO pharmacies at no additional cost. Free medicines are available through Aasandha from privately held pharmacies as well,” NSPA said in a statement.

NSPA added that if you notice a service center issuing medicines contrary to the list of medicines, you are asked to report it to the Shikaavath chatline at 7951400.

The decision to control the price of medicines comes after the ACC released its Corruption Risk Assessment of the Health Welfare System in the Maldives on the 10th of this month. In the report, the ACC recommended the introduction of a national pricing scheme for drugs, with a maximum retail price or a price ceiling.