Further to the letter by Eddy Privitera about the higher price we have to pay for medicine in Malta, I wish to mention Bonviva tablets, which here cost €47.65 for a single pill. Recently, while in Brussels, I was informed I could buy three for €49.

However, I required a prescription because in Brussels they are very strict about dispensing medication. Patients are prescribed one pill per month.

I did tell the Health Minister in Brussels about this anomaly and he promised he would look into it... but he did say it could be because Malta offers a small market.

I never found it difficult to buy this pill without a prescription in France, Italy, Corfu, Greece, Turkey or Spain. And although they vary in price, they are always much cheaper than they are here. In my case, I cannot get them free but every elderly person needs them because they strengthen the bones.

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