Medicines are still much cheaper in rest of EU

All Sunday papers last week carried a full-page advert about 166 cheaper medicines through the intervention of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA).

It is to be noted that sole importers have a free hand to import what they want while enjoying monopoly rights on certain products, which means no other importer is allowed to import those products. The result is that, for example, Fosavance four packs much cheaper from France, and the 12 packs, considerably cheaper and available in four EU countries besides France, are not imported into Malta: why?

I have never been given a reply to this question by the all-powerful importers. On the other hand, the MCCAA is impotent to act regarding this situation, applicable, I understand, to several other medicines, since it can only (and I quote from an official reply given to me) “intervene to ensure that the imported medicines are sold at a just and fair price” (action, I must add, forthcoming after several years of unjust and unfair prices).

Perhaps it would be better to avoid trumpet-blowing of ridiculous actions by applying reductions on prices to “reflect the average European price”, irrespective of the country from where medicines are (or could be) imported, and very partially realistic in comparison to prices in several EU countries.

Why not import the identical product from the country which sells it cheapest, if the importer has the interest of the consumer in mind?; or why not let various importers import the same product to ensure real competition?

In the meantime, patients have no choice but to remain ‘patient’ - we must grin and bear it (and pay through our nose).