President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued a decree amending the Drugs Act (Act No. 17/2011) to facilitate the availability of methylphenidate as a first-line treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The amendment came into effect through Presidential Decree No. 10/2026, issued today pursuant to Section 3-4(e) of the Drugs Act and published in the Government Gazette effective today.
The amendment was initiated upon the recommendation of the National Drug Control Council and subsequently deliberated in the Cabinet. Following Cabinet approval, the proposal was submitted to the People’s Majlis in accordance with Section 3-4(c) of the Drugs Act. At the 17th sitting of the first session of the People’s Majlis held on 11 May 2026, Parliament approved the removal of methylphenidate from Item No. 89 of the list of prohibited drugs prescribed under Schedule I of the Act.
With this amendment, the legal framework now allows for the availability of methylphenidate in the Maldives as a first-line treatment option for individuals diagnosed with ADHD.