The Maldives is set to implement a sophisticated system to forecast national pharmaceutical requirements, according to Dr. Shah Mahir, Managing Director of the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation (State Pharma).

Speaking on Public Service Media’s (PSM) ‘Raajje Miadhu’ program, Dr. Shah highlighted current challenges in medicine availability, noting that a data-driven approach is essential for a sustainable solution. He revealed that the corporation is currently developing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and e-logistics system, with the first phase of the project already completed.

Once fully operational, the system will allow authorities to monitor pharmaceutical stocks in real-time. Dr. Shah emphasized its impact on small island populations, explaining that by identifying the specific medical needs of residents—such as the number of diabetic patients in a particular community—the corporation can ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medications.

In addition to supply chain management, the initiative includes a public-facing portal. This digital platform will enable citizens to verify the availability of specific medications and locate the nearest pharmacies where they are in stock. This transparency is expected to significantly reduce the difficulties faced by patients in sourcing prescriptions.

Addressing current shortages, Dr. Shah stated that priority is being given to restocking medications reported as unavailable. Most of these essential items are expected to arrive in the Maldives within the next two weeks. The entire digital infrastructure project is slated for completion by September 2026.