NSPA Launches Phased Price Cuts on Medicines, Saving Millions for Aasandha

The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has announced a significant reduction in prices for 250 essential medicines under the Aasandha public health insurance scheme. In a bid to address rising healthcare costs, the price cuts will be rolled out in phases, beginning on November 1 with 87 medicines, followed by a reduction on November 24 for an additional 126 medicines.

According to NSPA Managing Director Heena Waleed, the initiative is expected to save the Aasandha scheme approximately MVR 220 million annually, addressing both high costs and long-standing inefficiencies in medicine distribution. These adjustments are part of ongoing reforms to curb wastage and make healthcare more affordable, she stated, pointing out that bulk procurement will continue to be used to ensure cost efficiency.

The reduced medicine prices are part of a wider healthcare reform agenda that has been under consideration across multiple administrations, though previous efforts had not reached implementation. The Aasandha scheme, offering free access to medicines through designated pharmacies, remains a crucial public health measure, and the NSPA has underscored its commitment to maintaining zero-cost medicine availability for Maldivians.

In addition to the phased price reductions, updated lists reflecting the new pricing will be made available on the Aasandha website. NSPA has encouraged the public to report any pricing inconsistencies via the ‘Shikavathi’ chatline at 7951400, emphasizing transparency and public involvement.

This phased price reduction reflects NSPA's dedication to easing the financial burden on the public and ensuring a more efficient allocation of healthcare resources within the Aasandha framework.