Pharmacists have called on the authorities to investigate claims that medicines are being distributed through “village clubs” and that some patients are being given preferential treatment.
It said steps must be taken to investigate and stop this alleged abuse in the pharmacy of your choice scheme.
“The authorities must safeguard the public by ensuring that any medicine is only dispensed from licensed premises: pharmacies.”
Last night the Health Ministry flatly denied the claim of political discrimination in the distribution of medicines.
According to recent media reports, out-of-stock medicines are being sent to pharmacies for specific patients.
Last month the chamber claimed pharmacists were facing a “tidal wave” of political interference in the scheme.
Pharmacists complained that patients were bypassing the POYC system and lobbying officials at the hospital and the Health Ministry for out-of-stock medicine.
The issue was raised again last week during a PN event when a pharmacist spoke about the alleged abuse.
The Chamber expects immediate steps to stop this alleged abuse
A few days later, PN leader Simon Busuttil claimed that medicines were being distributed from a Tarxien PL club.
Yesterday, he called for an immediate independent inquiry “so that someone can take political responsibility for this scandal”.
The chamber said pharmacists were under a directive not to accept instructions from ministries or from the POYC department on preferential supply of POYC medicines to specific patients.
“If this is the case then the distribution of medicines has become politicised to unbelievable proportions,” the chamber said.
But the ministry stressed that “no discriminatory practices will be allowed to take place under the watch of the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary”.
It was committed to act on any information if provided by the chamber or other sources and it had brought forward a meeting with the chamber on the issue.
“The ministry is committed to ensure the availability of medicines to all those entitled... in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.”