UHM orders government pharmacists not to take part

The pharmacy of your choice scheme has encountered its first hurdle as the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) yesterday ordered government pharmacists not to take part in it.

The new system, which is expected to kick off in the coming weeks, will replace the current arrangement under which people have to wait for hours at government pharmacies to pick up medicines. Instead, they will collect their free medication at a private pharmacy of their choice.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced on Sunday that the scheme would start shortly following talks between the authorities, the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists and the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU.

However, the UHM yesterday directed its pharmacist members not to collaborate, claiming it had been left out of the discussions. The union represents pharmacists working in the public sector.

Joseph Bonello, the union's health services section secretary, said the UHM had not been consulted and the pharmacists had no information on how the system would work.

The union was informed that government pharmacists would still be in charge of packing the medicines, but the union had directed them not to do so until discussions had taken place.

Contacted yesterday, the director general of health, Ray Busuttil, said he was surprised and disgusted at the union's decision. He said a meeting with the UHM on this issue was scheduled for next month.

In a statement later, the Health Division said the director general of health had informed the UHM during a meeting on the Mater Dei Hospital migration process that the pharmacy of your choice scheme would in no way threaten the employment of pharmacists at government health centres.

The division said the UHM had agreed to a meeting with the Health Division on the matter scheduled for June 11.