State Pharmaceutical Company Launches First 24-Hour Pharmacy at IGMH Male'

The state-owned pharmaceutical company has inaugurated its first pharmacy at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male', marking a strategic shift in the Maldives' medical distribution network. The StatePharma IGMH Pharmacy officially commenced operations on May 20, providing round-the-clock access to essential medications for patients. The facility, located within the IGMH Outpatient Department, was inaugurated by Male' City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem and State Pharmaceutical Company Managing Director Dr. Shah Mahir. Company officials stated that this pharmacy will serve as a model for similar establishments planned for rollout across the archipelago. By operating 24 hours a day, the pharmacy aims to eliminate the long-standing difficulties citizens have faced in accessing critical medical supplies. Beyond dispensing prescriptions, StatePharma plans to procure specialized pharmaceutical products from international markets that are currently unavailable through existing local supply chains, filling a significant gap in the national healthcare infrastructure. Established by presidential decree in September last year, the State Pharmaceutical Company was created to resolve persistent medicine shortages across the Maldives. The company has spent recent months researching supply chain vulnerabilities to create a more resilient framework for drug distribution. A major transition is scheduled for July, when all pharmacies currently managed by the State Trading Organization (STO) will be transferred to the State Pharmaceutical Company. To manage this consolidation, the company is developing a centralized monitoring system to provide real-time visibility of medication stock levels at all state pharmacies nationwide. To support this expansion, the company is recruiting qualified pharmacists and pharmacy assistants with a Diploma or Advanced Diploma and one to four years of experience; applications close on May 30. Additionally, a dedicated 24-hour national hotline has been launched, allowing patients from any island in the Maldives to report shortages and seek guidance on medication availability.