Pharmacists have started to ask for a doctor’s prescription for medicines over which they would previously have turned a blind eye if a patient did not have one.

Sources close to the profession said they were “not taking the risk” any more after it recently became mandatory to take out indemnity insurance to protect themselves in case a patient filed a claim against them.

If they sell a prescription-only medicine without one they are not covered by insurance and their premium would increase considerably if a claim is made.

The stricter approach by pharmacists means medicines such as paracetamol-based Calpol for children and yellow Actifed cough syrup – to name just two – can now only be bought with a doctor’s prescription, as in fact they are supposed to be.

Those on long-term medical care also require a prescription, renewable every six months, for products such as those to control cholesterol, high blood pressure and asthma.

Doctors charge an average of €6 to issue a prescription and this only after having examined the patient.

While acknowledging that pharmacists have stepped up their requests for prescriptions, the Chamber of Pharmacists, linked it to greater awareness of the need for vigilance in the distribution of medicines and not to the insurance requirement.

More on the e-paper on Timesofmalta.com Premium.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.