Long queues at Paola clinic

People who went to collect their free medicines from the Paola community pharmacy yesterday were in for a long wait, something that according to mayor Raymond Attard is happening quite often.

Mr Attard said that in the past three months, long queues have become a more common occurrence, although they were not unheard of before. He pointed out that those waiting outside the pharmacy are exposed to the elements because there is no shelter, adding that the majority are elderly people.

Moreover, he continued, it was not unusual for the patients to be referred to another community pharmacy because medicines were not available at the one in Paola. Mr Attard said the situation needed to be regularised and the local council was prepared to work hand in hand with the Health Department to ensure a better system for people who needed to pick up their medicines.

Primary Health Care director Andrew Amato Gauci said last week the problem - which has occurred at a number of health centres - was being discussed internally at the Health Department.

A total of 456,931 patients visited the community pharmacies last year and over 1.2 million items were dispensed.