Work-to-rule directive to government pharmacists

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin has instructed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, working at the government pharmacy in St Luke's Hospital, to work to rule.

The union's health services section secretary, Joseph Bonello, said the directive was issued due to lack of control on the time during which patients could go to the pharmacy to pick up free medicines. He said the number of patients entitled to free medicines was always on the increase.

He said workers were fed up with the amount of work they had to do, adding that they were understaffed and working within a difficult environment. Mr Bonello said the authorities were not finding enough people to employ, while pharmacists were leaving the public sector in search of better jobs elsewhere.

Mr Bonello said the union had made recommendations to keep pharmacists from leaving the public sector, including offering them early retirement schemes.

The Health Division is expected to comment on the issue either today or tomorrow.