Medicines should not be a luxury

The prices of selected medicines are getting cheaper thanks to a concerted effort by the government and medicine importers. The list of 62 medicines, which from earlier this month are being sold at a cheaper price, is not definitive. We are committed to keep reducing the prices of medicines in the weeks and months to come. The Department for Consumers and Competition (CCD) and medicine importers are working on identifying such medicines and I am convinced that what we have promised will be achieved.

We are not waging a holy war. Our mission to reduce the average price of medicines in the Maltese Islands is guided by the principles of social justice that we believe in. The consumption of medicine by prescription should not be a luxury. Medicines should be affordable to one and all, especially to those who cannot do otherwise but consume them because of their ill-health.

In 2007, the previous government and the medicine importers had agreed upon the introduction of a pricing mechanism, which is still being used, to establish the average prices of specific medicinal products in the European Union. Some of the prices of medicinal products indicated in the 2007-08 lists were reduced as suggested by this mechanism. But since the mechanism was, and still is voluntary, some of its suggestions were ignored.

In its last Budget, this government re-stated its commitment to get to grips with the situation: "The voluntary mechanism which we had launched with the sector did not have the results we hoped for. Therefore, a more efficient and effective mechanism on the prices of medicine will be introduced. While the price surveys will still be carried out on the principles agreed upon during the establishment of this committee, the mechanism will change into a mandatory one unless an alternative system is introduced".

Our ultimate declared aim is to ensure price stability of medicines. The government's strategy is a two-pronged process that will help us achieve this aim immediately and effectively. We are working to ensure cheaper prices in the shorter term. We also want to revise the existing mechanism and to adapt it to today's circumstances. This way we will achieve price stability on a longer period.

In the past few weeks, the government pressed hard to get the importers to lower the prices of medicines. It put across its message to importers and stakeholders that above EU-average prices were not acceptable. Importers were found to be forthcoming and the 62 medicines, the prices of which were published on July 2, are part of a longer list of medicines that were found to be priced above the EU average. Prices were reduced between six and 67 per cent.

The government believes the publication of this first list of 62 cheaper medicines is just the first step in the right direction. Most of the medicines mentioned in this first list are used to cure illnesses and conditions that affect hundreds if not thousands of Maltese.

We are currently in a phase of transition during which some pharmacies still have medicines from older stocks. These pharmacies have a right to sell these medicines at the old price. However, thanks to the work being carried out by the Consumer and Competition Division, we can confirm that a number of pharmacies are selling at the new and cheaper prices.

The role played by the importers in the reduction of prices announced earlier this month is commendable. The role adopted by most pharmacy-owners has been noticed and is much appreciated. We are adamant to reduce the prices of more medicinal products. Discussions between the parties involved are ongoing and further reductions, or rather another list of medicinal products with new and cheaper prices, will be announced shortly.

I am convinced that we have embarked on a long and tough journey but which, thanks to the efforts being put in by all parties concerned, will bear the desired fruits with obvious benefits to the consumer.