In a significant boost to healthcare cooperation, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance regulatory alignment and improve access to quality medicines in the Maldives.

The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony held in conjunction with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the Maldives. 

It represents a major step forward in strengthening bilateral collaboration in the health sector.

Under the MoU, the Maldives will formally adopt the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) as an official reference standard for medicines manufactured or imported into the country. 

This adoption is expected to accelerate the regulatory approval process and improve the overall quality assurance of pharmaceuticals available to the Maldivian public.

One of the key benefits of the agreement is the direct recognition of certificates of analysis issued by Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers, resulting in drugs imported from India no longer requiring secondary testing by local authorities, significantly reducing time and regulatory costs.

The MoU will also provide the Maldives with access to Indian Pharmacopoeia Reference Standards (IPRS) and Impurity Standards at affordable prices, thereby strengthening the country's drug quality control systems. 

The agreement aims to facilitate the advancement of generic drug development and expand access to cost-effective treatments.

For a small island nation heavily reliant on pharmaceutical imports, this cooperation marks a transformative moment in its healthcare delivery system, ensuring access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines for all.

The MoU was signed by Maldives Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim on behalf of the MFDA and by Indian High Commissioner Shri G. Balasubramanian representing the IPC.