State Pharma to Launch Refresher Courses Amid Pharmacist Shortage

In an effort to address the shortage of qualified pharmacists across the country, State Pharma has initiated high-level discussions with the Maldives National University (MNU) to train Maldivians in the field of pharmacy.

According to State Pharma, the company has been consistently seeking pharmacists for its various branches nationwide. In the past month alone, advertisements were published to fill more than 30 pharmacist positions. However, the company highlighted that the scarcity of trained Maldivians in this sector remains a significant challenge.

To find a sustainable solution to this issue, senior officials from State Pharma met with representatives from MNU's Faculty of Health Sciences. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on ways to increase the number of students enrolling in pharmacy programs. Furthermore, both parties explored avenues to facilitate employment opportunities within State Pharma for graduates entering the workforce.

In addition to academic training, State Pharma has decided to conduct 'refresher courses' for its current employees. The company views this as a vital step to update the skills and knowledge of professionals in the field, thereby enhancing the overall quality of pharmaceutical services.

State Pharma emphasized that empowering Maldivian youth through employment is a key objective of the company. They reiterated that their doors are always open to young Maldivians who are interested in pursuing a career in the pharmacy sector.

State Pharma was established by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration as a state owned pharmaceutical company to oversee the procurement, distribution and sale of medicines and medical supplies. The government has said the move is aimed at ensuring a more reliable supply of essential medicines, reducing shortages and improving access to pharmaceutical services across the Maldives. As part of the restructuring, pharmacy operations previously managed by the State Trading Organization (STO) were transferred to State Pharma.