5 drugs for mental illness unavailable, ministry tells parliament

Parliament’s Petition Committee has questioned officials from the Ministry of Health and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) over the unavailability of five psychiatric medicines in the country.

A petition had been submitted to parliament regarding the lack of access to certain medicines for people with disabilities and mental illness. Senior officials from the ministry and MFDA were summoned to respond on Monday.

Commissioner of Quality Assurance at the Health Ministry, Thaslima Usman, told the committee that psychiatric medicines are included in the National Essential Medicines List, which requires them to be available in designated health facilities and pharmacies.

She said that while most of the medicines on the list have been imported this year, five remain unavailable, noting that these drugs are also difficult to obtain internationally.

“STO is working to secure a supplier,” Thaslima said.

Thaslima explained that once medicines are imported, the process of making them available to pharmacies is not directly managed by the government. However, under an agreement between the Health Ministry and State Trading Organisation (STO), special medicines must be brought into the Maldives and distributed through pharmacies.

She said the government would continue efforts to ensure supply, while acknowledging the dependence on imports poses challenges when shipments are delayed.

The committee also raised concerns over the lack of access to medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

MFDA Senior Pharmacist Aishath Jaleela said methylphenidate, a recognised treatment for ADHD, is classified under Schedule I and II of the Narcotic Drugs Act, which prevents its import. She noted that medical professionals have also raised concerns about the restrictions.

Efforts have been made to amend the law to allow imports, including a request to parliament in July, Jaleela said.

Thaslima added that shortages earlier this year had been resolved through joint efforts by the ministry and STO, although patients may not always receive a particular brand, as alternative brands are usually available.