State Pharmacy to Stock All Antibiotics to Combat Rising Drug Resistance

The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation (SPMC) has begun efforts to secure a comprehensive inventory of all antibiotic classes to combat the growing global crisis of antimicrobial resistance. This strategic move aims to ensure that healthcare providers have the necessary tools to treat resistant infections effectively within the Maldives. Speaking on PSM News’s 'Raajje Miadhu' programme, SPMC Managing Director Dr. Shah Mahir explained that the availability of a full range of antibiotics is critical for proper clinical management. He noted that when first-line antibiotics fail or encounter resistance, physicians must have immediate access to second-line options to ensure patient recovery. "By maintaining the entire range within our stock to some degree, the necessary antibiotics can be made accessible," Dr. Shah stated. He emphasized that this approach would not only expedite recovery times for patients but also help diminish the overall prevalence of antibiotic resistance across the archipelago. The corporation is currently prioritizing the uninterrupted supply of approximately 1,200 essential medicines. Once this core inventory is stabilized, the SPMC plans to further refine the national drug list by identifying the most frequently prescribed medications to optimize stock levels. To address existing supply chain deficiencies, the corporation has initiated consultations with physicians at island health centers. By determining specific local requirements and stocking commonly used treatments directly at the community level, the SPMC aims to increase accessibility while simultaneously reducing medicinal waste. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to create a reliable system where every medication prescribed by a doctor is consistently available through hospital pharmacies, removing the uncertainty often associated with pharmaceutical procurement in the islands.