The State Trading Organization (STO) has announced that its pharmacies will remain closed for the next three days as operations transition to the newly established State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited.

STO confirmed that the temporary closure is necessary to conduct a comprehensive inventory audit across all pharmacy outlets. While regular retail services are suspended, the organization emphasized that essential pharmaceutical services will remain available for emergency cases throughout the transition period.

Once the process is complete, the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited will assume full responsibility for the import and distribution of medicines across the Maldives. This strategic move aims to centralize pharmaceutical management and optimize the national supply chain.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu established the state-owned pharmaceutical entity in September last year to address chronic medicine shortages in the country. Over the past year, the corporation has been finalizing its administrative framework and conducting research into supply challenges. The government expects the corporation to be fully operational within the year, ushering in significant improvements to the healthcare sector.