The government has decided to import medicine directly from manufacturing countries, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said.
Briefing the press at the Velana International Airport on his visit to China upon his return, President Muizzu said the government has decided to end the import of cheap medicine in favor of purchasing directly from Europe and America where the medicine is produced.
"God willing, we will change things such that the import of common medicine will come to an end for us to import medicine directly from where it is manufactured in Europe and America," the President said.
The majority of medicine imported to the Maldives is currently brought from neighboring India. The President's remarks came amid strained relations between the Maldives and India.
Many Indians have been calling for a boycott of the Maldives after a row escalated over tweets by Maldivian deputy ministers in response to a campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote the Indian islands of Lakshadweep.
President Muizzu also said the government was trying to provide Aasandha in countries other than India. The service is currently only available overseas in India and Sri Lanka.
The government is working towards offering Aasandha services in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Muizzu said.
