The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists has called on the officials responsible for the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme (POYC) and the Medicines Authority to investigate and stop the alleged distribution of medicines from clubs.

In a statement, the chamber referred to reports on preferential treatment of patients in the distribution of medicines under the POYC scheme and more recently, the 'bizarre situation' where it had been reported that POYC medicines were being distributed through village clubs.

"If this is the case then the distribution of medicines has become politicized to unbelievable proportions," the chamber said.

"If medicines are being distributed as has been alleged, through village clubs, it is of grave concern and to the detriment of public health. It is also in serious breach of the laws of Malta (Medicines Act). The Chamber and its members expect that those who are vested with the powers at law – POYC Responsible Persons, the Medicines Authority, the Licensing Authority – take the immediate and necessary steps to investigate and stop this alleged abuse. They must safeguard the public by ensuring that any medicine is only dispensed from licensed premises – pharmacies – by pharmacists in private community pharmacies, who are the only ones responsible and entitled to dispense medicines through a POYC service to entitled registered patients."

The Chamber  said that pharmacists wereunder directive not to accept instructions from ministries or the POYC department on preferential supply of POYC medicines on named patient basis.

"The Chamber fully supports all pharmacists in their day-to-day practice, which should be serene and calls on the Minister for Health and Energy and Parliamentary Secretary for Health to ensure dignity and equitable access to medicines by all POYC registered patients through their pharmacist of choice in the community and that these health care professionals are respected," the chamber said.

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