Compare and contrast prices of medicine products (2)

This case occurred only a few weeks ago to one of my patients. The patient suffers from various conditions among which is severe bronchial asthma and osteoporosis as a result of intermittent oral steroids. Up to a couple of months ago she was prescribed an anti-osteoporotic agent from hospital free of charge. Sadly, this was stopped for reasons known only to the health department and she was forced to buy another cheaper preparation albeit at a high cost to this patient whose only income is her husband's pension.

This lady buys Alendronic Acid tablets of 70mgms in a packet of four tablets, taking one tablet per week, for €23.76. Recently, she went to London to visit a relative of hers and I made a prescription for her to buy these tablets from London. She was completely amazed and delighted when for six packets of four of the same tablets she was charged £14 only (circa €16). She bought them from a reputable pharmacy, Boots Chemist.

Why this big difference? Isn't this totally immoral and heartless?

The preparation bought in Malta and in London are identical generic and, to add insult to injury, both are manufactured here by ArrowPharm (Generic) at Ħal Far.

I wonder what Vincent Farrugia and Reginald Fava have to say to this blatant dishonesty.

The patient and I are prepared to provide the evidence under oath to whoever asks for it to confirm this report.

The matter has been referred to the authorities concerned and one hopes to see immediate action taken to protect our helpless patients who are simply at the mercy of some businessmen.

I urge other family doctors who have similar cases to bring them to the notice of the relevant authorities to protect our patients against such blatant abuses.