The Managing Director of the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation (State Pharma), Dr Shah Mahir, has said that accurately forecasting the types and quantities of medicines required in the Maldives would significantly reduce the volume of expired drugs that must be discarded.
Speaking on the "Ahaashey Bunaan" programme aired by the Public Service Media (PSM), Dr Shah said improved demand forecasting would allow medicines to be ordered well in advance while ensuring they arrive with a longer remaining shelf life. He noted that if medicines are procured with one or two years of shelf life remaining, the amount of stock expiring before use would be considerably reduced.
The government recently established the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation to oversee the import and distribution of medicines. The company has also begun taking over the operation of 193 pharmacies previously managed by STO under the new State Pharma network.
Dr Shah said estimates indicate that between 10 and 20 per cent of medicines in the Maldives currently expire before they can be used. However, he said this figure could be reduced substantially through more accurate forecasting and closer monitoring of medicine demand.
He added that working closely with healthcare providers would enable the country to maintain sufficient stocks of essential medicines while allowing orders to be placed early enough to avoid supply shortages.
Dr Shah also said establishing a dedicated state-owned company to import medicines would enable the government to better regulate medicine prices. It would also reduce reliance on other suppliers and improve the country's ability to secure a steady supply of medicines.
He noted that medicines account for around 30 per cent of the country's total healthcare budget, describing it as a significant expenditure for a small nation such as the Maldives. Reducing wastage and improving procurement, he said, would also lower spending under the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha.
Medicine shortages have long been a challenge in the Maldives. While the health sector has undergone various improvements over the years, Dr Shah said little had previously been done to address recurring shortages. He described the current government's decision to establish the new corporation as an important step towards resolving long-standing supply issues and ensuring a more reliable medicine distribution system.