The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, highlighted today that the Maldives faces significant challenges in procuring essential medicines and medical equipment required for the healthcare sector.
Speaking to the press following meetings with various ministries and agencies to assess the situation of health rights in the country, Dr. Mofokeng noted that while the Maldivian healthcare system has made progress, a large segment of the population still struggles to access basic medication.
She pointed out that these shortages extend to essential drugs for mental health treatment as well as critical emergency medications required in hospitals.
Dr. Mofokeng explained that one of the primary obstacles in procuring medical supplies and pharmaceuticals is the country’s small market size. Due to low demand, international commercial suppliers show little interest in importing to the Maldives, often leaving doctors to work without the necessary tools and equipment.
The Special Rapporteur emphasized that it is the government's responsibility to engage in more robust negotiations and establish stronger frameworks when forming such agreements. She noted that pharmaceutical costs account for approximately 60 percent of the Maldives' total healthcare expenditure.
"To address this, maximum retail prices for medicines must be established, ensuring that the pharmaceutical sector is not driven solely by profit but operates within the standards of health economics and pharmacology. The procurement system must be transparent, minimize waste, and remain free from corruption," she said.
Dr. Mofokeng noted that the State Trading Organization (STO), the Medical Association, and other relevant stakeholders are currently collaborating to find solutions and facilitate better access to medicine.
The Special Rapporteur expressed hope that ongoing efforts would lead to a robust system capable of real-time inventory monitoring to ensure supplies are replenished before they run out. She described this as a vital step toward ensuring uninterrupted essential health services for the Maldivian people.
Despite the Maldives having over 800 pharmacies and a significant portion of the Aasandha (national health insurance) budget being spent on pharmacy claims, the Managing Director of Aasandha Company, Aminath Zeeniya, warned last Tuesday that the unavailability of medicine has become a national crisis.
Medicine shortages a national crisis; root cause must be identified, says Aasandha Chief
Aasandha Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya has labeled the Maldives' medicine shortage a national crisis, citing weak regulations and excessive pharmacy markups. Despite high spending, only 1,300 of 5,000 approved drugs are imported. The crisis is worsened by a lack of inventory tracking and profit margins reaching up to 600 percent.
Zeeniya identified excessive profit margins by pharmacies as a major issue in the pharmaceutical market. She noted that while some pharmacies charge markups between 500 and 600 percent, there is currently no system in place to regulate wholesale rates.
Complaints regarding the unavailability of essential medicines across various regions of the Maldives have surged in the past two years.
Members of the public have highlighted difficulties in obtaining medication for chronic illnesses as well as certain pediatric medicines. Furthermore, public concern has intensified following recent changes to the distribution of pharmaceuticals under the national health insurance scheme.
While even basic medications are out of stock, there is a critical shortage of specialized drugs required for the long-term management of specific medical conditions.
Despite President Mohamed Muizzu establishing the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation as a dedicated entity to resolve these shortages—a responsibility previously held by STO—the crisis remains unaddressed.
