Inclusion of new drugs on formulary breaks stagnation – Chamber

The Health Care Business Section of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has welcomed the recent inclusion of 11 new drugs to the Maltese National Formulary as bringing relief after a 10-year wait.

“This is a small step in the right direction after a decade of stagnation and an almost complete freeze on new inclusions,” the Chamber section said.

“It brings some relief after years of insistence.”

The section said it hoped the government would continue on this track and endeavour to process a long list of pending applications. It called on authorities to adhere to European norms and process new applications within the defined 180 days timeline.

“Only then can Maltese patients benefit from innovative therapies through the national health service and enjoy a level of access to new drugs, whichis equal to other European citizens,” the business section said.

There are various outstanding issues affecting this sector, the section pointed out, adding it hoped they were resolved through continued, constructive discussions between stakeholders.