Government pharmacists working to rule

Government pharmacists have been ordered to work to rule by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin.

The union said the directive will not be lifted until the Health Division presents counterproposals on the pharmacists' working conditions.

"We are working at half capacity," the spokesman said, adding that its proposals had been submitted to the government back in January.

The Social Policy Ministry said the present situation was simply the result of the Ministry "having difficulty filling the existing vacancies".

In August, the expansion of the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme was halted due to staff shortages at the government's central company. At the time, Ray Xerri, the officer in charge of the scheme's planning and implementation, had said more staff was needed to be able to carry on with the scheme.

A spokesman for the UĦM's health division said the union will try to limit the effect that the industrial action will have on the public, by ensuring that the telephone service is kept up in emergency situations, such as a drug overdose. However, calls for information will not be taken.

While pharmacists will still provide medicine and assist the public, any management or administrative meetings will not be attended, and the staff will not go out of their way to perform additional duties.