People searching for prescription medicines may soon be able to avoid travelling from one pharmacy to another, as the State Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supply Corporation (StatePharma) prepares to launch a nationwide digital portal allowing users to check medicine availability and prices from their mobile phones.
StatePharma announced that the new platform is scheduled to go live in September, enabling the public to view the stock status of medicines across its pharmacy network and identify which outlets have the required medication before making the trip.
The initiative comes in response to one of the most common frustrations faced by patients and caregivers in the Maldives—uncertainty over which pharmacies have specific medicines in stock, often forcing people to visit multiple outlets in search of essential prescriptions.
According to the company, the portal will provide real-time information on the availability of medicines as well as their prices, allowing users to search from anywhere using their phones.
StatePharma said the project forms part of a broader effort to improve pharmaceutical services and address long-standing challenges in medicine supply by adopting digital solutions and better planning.
Managing Director Dr. Shah Mahir said the company is working to develop permanent solutions rather than short-term fixes, noting that ensuring a stable medicine supply begins with accurately forecasting the country’s pharmaceutical needs.
He explained that while sourcing medicines continues to present challenges, sustainable improvements will only be possible by identifying demand well in advance and planning procurement accordingly.
As part of that effort, StatePharma has completed the first phase of implementing an Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) system together with an e-logistics platform, which will allow the company to monitor medicine stocks throughout the country more effectively.
According to Dr. Shah, the new digital infrastructure will provide a clearer picture of both the types of medicines required nationwide and the quantities needed each year. That information is expected to improve procurement planning, enabling the import of adequate supplies of quality medicines before shortages arise.
He added that better forecasting will also support long-term storage and distribution planning, allowing medicines to be positioned strategically across islands and reducing the risk of supply disruptions.
Medicine availability has remained a recurring concern for patients in the Maldives, with occasional shortages and supply delays affecting access to certain treatments. Health authorities have increasingly focused on strengthening procurement systems and supply chain management to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines.
StatePharma said the upcoming portal is one of several measures aimed at modernising the country’s pharmaceutical services, improving transparency for patients and making it easier for the public to access medicines when they are needed.
