On a Sunday afternoon car rally at Hal Far, Malta Labour Party deputy leader Michael Falzon was busy spreading misinformation about the withholding of certain medication to the over 75-year-olds.

At about midnight, of the same Sunday, Anglu Psaila, on his popular programme Stetoskopju, answered a phone-call from New York. This caller alleged indignantly that the Maltese government was withholding drugs to the elderly and that the elderly would soon find themselves buried alive in caves.

Prof. Psaila is a man I have long admired for his professional integrity. He has always striven to educate the layman on complicated medical issues, in a language his listeners can understand.

Prof. Psaila explained that he looks after many elderly patients in their 80s and 90s and that no expense is spared in the medical care they require. He further explained that the use of drugs like Lescol are undergoing investigation to determine their efficacy and possible adverse effect on the elderly. A cursory browse on the internet soon confirmed the truth.

I think it is a great shame that the MLP should seek to worry and confound the elderly with cruel misinformation for perceived political gain. This is unpardonable political dishonesty which the party can do without. I do not think that the MLP, contradicted as it was on its own Radio Super 1, by Prof. Psaila, will have the moral fibre necessary to admit spreading misleading information and apologise to the elderly.