The persistent issue of citizens being unable to access essential medication, despite the existence of over 800 pharmacies and the coverage of more than 3,000 medicines under the Aasandha scheme, is a serious concern, stated Aminath Zeeniya, Managing Director of Aasandha Company. Speaking at a parliamentary committee, Zeeniya highlighted that although 60 percent of the Aasandha scheme’s expenditure is directed towards pharmacies, there is currently no established system to guarantee the availability of essential drugs at these outlets.
Furthermore, Zeeniya pointed out several critical challenges, including the failure to import certain medications listed on the approved drug list, frequent fluctuations in available medicine brands, and the exorbitant pricing of pharmaceutical products. She expressed particular concern regarding some pharmacies selling medicine at markups of 500 to 600 percent, noting the lack of a regulatory mechanism for wholesale pricing. However, she expressed hope that the government’s recently initiated bulk procurement efforts would provide a meaningful solution to these issues.
