A sweeping transformation of pharmacy services is set to begin in the Maldives, as all 196 outlets currently managed by the State Trading Organisation (STO) are poised for transfer to the newly formed State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Company (STMC).

The transition process will commence next week, with pharmacies in the Malé region the first to be handed over — a phased approach that is scheduled for completion by mid-February. STO officials confirmed the timeline today, noting that preparatory work has been underway for several months.

Established in September last year, STMC was created to streamline the import and supply of medicines and medical consumables across the country. The company will also be responsible for handling overseas prescriptions and bulk procurement of pharmaceuticals via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

This handover marks the end of an era for STO, which has operated pharmacies for nearly 43 years — its first outlet opening in 1984. Over the past decade, the organisation has extended its reach to every inhabited island, building a legacy of accessible healthcare provision.

With the transfer, around 600 STO staff will be integrated into STMC’s workforce over the coming month, ensuring continuity of service during the transition.

STMC’s Managing Director, Dr Shah Mahir, previously stated that the company would require three to six months to achieve full operational capacity — signalling a period of considerable change and modernisation in the Maldivian pharmaceutical sector.