I refer to Maureen German’s letter ‘Pills dearer in Malta’ (April 4). The European Commissioner’s reply to her, that the scandalous prices of medicines in Malta “may be due to the small market”, is very unconvincing, to say the least.

Were this to be the case, then we should be paying double, treble for most products that we import because our “small market” applies to all products.

The real reason, in my view, is the fact that there is no competition or free market in this sector. People who fall ill have no other option but to buy the medicine which is prescribed by their doctor. They cannot choose which medicine they buy since the pharmacist has to give them the medicine that is indicated in the prescription.

That medicine is horrendously expensive in Malta can be seen from this glaring and incredible example: the medicine Lyrica, 25mg capsules x 56, had its price reduced in 2012 from €106.94 to €75.44. A reduction of €31.50. And, yet, the price for the same medicine in Italy was €23.14 and in Portugal €15.88. The prices I quote were given in Parliament.

For years, this medicine was being sold at €31 more than its reduced price and it is still being sold at €52 more than in Italy.

How much longer will the people have to suffer this daylight robbery by medicine importers? Even very poor people get sick and need medicine and many products, such as antibiotics, are not given free .

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