Call for simpler medicine registration

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise (GRTU) has called on the government to simplify the medicine registration system by allowing in medicines certified elsewhere in the European Union.

As of next January a regime of costly and complicated procedures to register medicines - most of which are imported - is set be introduced. The number of medicines on pharmacy shelves has dropped drastically in the past months. Importers and distributors are warning that due to the new rules contemplating fees which run into thousands of liri, medicine manufacturers would continue withdrawing medicines from the Maltese market.

The GRTU yesterday insisted that Malta should adopt a similar system to Luxembourg, which had not set up its own registration system due to its small market but allowed in medicines registered from neighbouring France.

"We expect the government and the EU representation in Malta to come to a serious agreement with all stakeholders in the best interest of the sector and the country," the GRTU said.

The solution was definitely not to impose price orders, the GRTU said, adding that the Nationalist Party in government had long ago committed itself against this economic policy.

"There is no more room for arguments. A solution is needed as soon as possible," the GRTU said.