Hospital employee accused of stealing pills

A hospital employee was accused of stealing hundreds of pills from the Mater Dei Hospital pharmacy in what appears to be an act of kindness to help people who cannot afford to pay for certain medicines.

Evelyn Schembri, 42, of Sta Venera, who works in parent craft, helping expectant couples, pleaded not guilty to stealing loose pills and single blister packs of medicines, which were handed over to her without prescription.

A second person is also expected to be arraigned in connection with this incident.

It is believed the pills that went missing were taken in small quantities over a long period of time to be distributed to people unable to afford certain medicines, sources close to the case said.

Ms Schembri was accused of stealing nine types of pills on July 2 at about 4 p.m. and the previous days and handling stolen property with the intention of selling or passing on such stolen items.

The police started investigating the case after receiving a report by hospital staff who noticed a large amount of pills being squirrelled away.

The case is expected to continue early next month.

Police Inspector Jesmond Micallef prosecuted.

Lawyer Toni Abela appeared for the accused.