Medicines: Chamber section says no to price control but yes to reduction in prices
The HealthCare Business Section of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said it was against price control but not against reduction in prices where these were justified.
The section was referring to a statement by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech that price orders shall be issued for pharmaceutical products for which prices were found to be excessively high when compared to other EU member states.
The section said it was through its cooperation that a workable formula was established and agreed upon by all members of the Price Monitoring Committee to ensure fair pricing for medicinal products on the local market.
If the Committee had to work effectively and efficiently, the formula would have protected both the public and importers and distributors, who did their best to ensure that the people had at their disposal a variety of preparations and the latest products as these became available.
The minister knew only too well that it was not an alternative system to the one established by the Pricing Committee that was required. It was the efficient functioning of this committee that the minister had to ensure.
The minister was, the section said, was fully aware as to why this committee was not working and he should see to it that existing obstacles were eliminated if the government really wanted to resolve the issue.
“It is the government’s duty to explain to the public, in very clear and unequivocal terms, why the Pricing Committee is not functioning as it should.”
The section said it was totally against price control but it not against reduction in prices where these were justified.
It didnot defend cowboys and it would be four square behind the government to ensure that the people were paying a fair price for medicines placed on the market.
“Where medicines are concerned, it is not a question of comparing like with like, because there are many factors that determine a price on the market.
“Controlling an unbridled horse is one thing, but controlling all horses, even those who are giving our people a fair deal, is another.”
The section said that reference pharmacies were objectionable because these created animosity among professionals – a situation had to be avoided at all costs.
“We know, and the government knows only too well, that as per our original agreement if and when a medicinal is imported by the government it is to be made available to all pharmacies through a distribution network that is already in place and has proved its worth over the years,” the section said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
20 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Paul Barrett
Dec 5th 2009, 00:27
Has anyone actually investigated to see if there is any "Price Fixing" amongst the supposedly many suppliers. A free market is expected to bring down prices by virtue of competition, not force up prices.
Andrew Cachia
Dec 4th 2009, 17:49
J Busuttil. I assure you that government has purchased pharmaceutical directly from overseas supplier at a higher price for exactly same product offered by the Maltese distributor. I also Assure you that info was not obtained from any local news programme. This is a fact. Please feel free to make your own judgement. Thanks
Evarist Saliba
Dec 4th 2009, 16:51
Who will decide when a reduction in the selling price of a medicine is justified? That is the question. Vague references to 'other factors', beside the evidence of prices abroad is not helpful. Let the public have the full facts that justify the difference. Incidentally, is the public, and its government, to be powerless against these?
c. camilleri
Dec 4th 2009, 16:05
Those who are giving the public a fair deal should not be afraid of price control.which is the best method how to control the racket in the price of medicines. The Chamber of Medicine should explain to us how medicines brought over by individuals from other EU countries are half the prices asked for here. The Govt should now stop arguing and take action. It is already too late. We have been taken for a ride for far too long.
edward bartolo
Dec 4th 2009, 15:03
A totally free market, only favours one sector of society. Democratically elected governments, are there to represent all the people, and not just those who supply them with the material means during elections. The government, together with the EU, must know, that not all people are businessmen, and that, such a policy, now arrogantly declared a value, only favours businessmen. The rest of society are ignored, and have to take the brunt of the artificially high prices and cost of living, because there is no price control, and the infamous "invisible hand" is only motivated by greed.
The most dangerous "beast" is a totally free market. The road of virtue never lies at the extremes, and reality shows, that the moderate road is the best to take.
nella bencini
Dec 4th 2009, 14:04
In all due respect, we can blog till the cows come home, but will it change anything?
NO.
Still interesting to read each other's views though!!
Matteo Buttigieg
Dec 4th 2009, 13:31
@Galea. L - buying from the internet.
As a pharmacist all i can say is, be very careful about buying medication on the internet. There are many fakes, where the only way to distinguish it to the original medicine is by chemical analysis (so perfectly identical). Fake medicines are unsafe, unefficacious and made under substandard conditions. And no, its not only viagra that is being illegally copid but also other medications such as heart and cholesterol drugs.
From a safety point of view, always buy your medicine from an authorised pharmacy. If you really want to get cheaper medicines from overseas, I suggest getting some ryanair tickets and make a holiday out of it.
I must repeat - for the average person, buying medication over the internet is a really bad idea since its sometimes impossible to say if the medicine is a fake.
PS: I dont have any interest in people buying the medicines in Malta.... just wanted to point out the risks.
jbusuttil
Dec 4th 2009, 13:22
@ Andrew Cachia,
From were did you get this news? Don't tell me from One news.
Paul Barrett
Dec 4th 2009, 13:19
In the mean time we will continue to pay exorbitant prices such as a small tube of Germoline in Malta costing the same as a large tube of Germoline in the UK.
Thankfully my annual re-supply is on the way from the UK.
vincent magro
Dec 4th 2009, 13:00
Jien nemmen li ahna bhala konsumaturi ghandna dritt ma nigux misruqa,
Dan jista jsir billi niprovdu lil xulxin b'links fuq l-internett li jaghtu valur ghal flus li nhallsu.
Bhal ma l-medicini huma bzonn ghal min ikollu bzonnhom, hekk ukoll huma in-nuccalijiet ghal min ikollu bzonnhom.
Hmistax ilu ordnajt mil-internett nuccali tal-vista frame kif xtaqtu jien u kull ma gieni euro11.65c jew Lm5.00c. u wasal wara gima.
http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/home.php
Andrew Cachia
Dec 4th 2009, 12:19
does the minister know that recently medicines were purchased by government directly from foreign suppliers at a higher price than offered by local distributors. what's going on?
j micallef
Dec 4th 2009, 12:12
Who is to rule the roost on this issue? Is the HealthCare Business Section of the Malta Chamber of Commerce going to have its way, or is the long uffering public going to have its voice heard and heeded? Should the goverment bow to calls of no-price-control on medicines, or is it going to heed the cries of the people that want price controls on medicines? Proof is there for all to see that the price of medicines in Malta has spiralled out of control, with stories of medicines being bought abroad for a fraction of the price being sold in Malta. Goverment is there to protect the weak, the sick and those hovering on the poverty line, if not already flounderning below it. Pharmaceutical companies must be given their fair margin of profit, and those who already operate and stand by this justified percentage gain should not fear any price controls, as they would simply remain as they are now, controls or no controls. But cowboys who fleece the frail, the ill and the dying in our community, need determined protection. Goverment must act, and act now. The LP should fully, creditabbly, visibly and publicly support medicinal price controls.
E Gatt
Dec 4th 2009, 12:06
I feel uncomfortable at any attempt at price control so a voluntary price reduction by the medicine importers would be more welcome in my opinion.
@Galea. L
Be careful when buying medicines online. Check this TV ad (warning - not for the faint hearted) to know what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4-Qyu9KbBo
Henry Abela
Dec 4th 2009, 11:57
The government doesnt pay suppliers locally for tenders let alone how its going to buy medicines from abroad directly...... tajtx mhux on credit.
Plus some medicines are truly cheaper abroad but since they are partially reimbursed by the government.
J.Tonna
Dec 4th 2009, 11:21
I agree that the government should not impose the price at which medicines should be sold. However it is the government's duty to protect us vulnerable consumers from the greed of certain businessmen.
After considering the price of medicines as sent from abroad, adding to it expenses incurred in transportation etc. and considering a fair profit for the importers/distributors an agreement should be reached on the price at which medicines should be sold in Malta. I am mentioning medicines only as it is the topic we are writing about because, actually this procedure should be used on everything. That is what one cals fair trading.
CFarrugia
Dec 4th 2009, 11:03
what do they mean by no to price control? this is a shame, some medicines in malta are much more expensive than here in Germany, where people are earning twice or three times as much...is this fair? By the way most medicines are not covered by the insurance in Germany, so people have to buy them extra in Germany too....
pierre Borg
Dec 4th 2009, 10:54
Dear Chamber of Commerce,
Last September i was in France and needed medication, the price for the medicine was half the price you buy locally.
Same thing happened to my father in Portugal, he bought medicine he normally buys locally for half the price.
I am sorry but the medicine agents are doing exorbatant profits.
J Busuttil
Dec 4th 2009, 10:52
What the medicines importers should know that sick people are being fleeced for a number of medicinals and on this everyone should be behind the Gov on this issue. Lately a medical doctor wrote on the Times newspaper that medicinals bought in the UK were 8 times cheaper than the same medicinals bought in Malta. Gov too has to explain why the Pricing commitee is not working.
r feriggi
Dec 4th 2009, 10:34
this medicine business is one big theft against the public and a crime against humanity.
a few getting mega rihc on the bck of the sick,,, many of which can hardly afford tratments and medicines.
Galea. L
Dec 4th 2009, 10:19
Purchase your requirements on the internet whenever you can. Products are so much cheaper.