Consumer rights minister Helena Dalli this morning announced a reduction in the prices of nine medicines. Reductions vary between nine per cent and 65 per cent and in some cases translate to a reduction of up to €23.90.

Addressing a news conference at Milia's Pharmacy in Vittoriosa she said that the reduction was the result of talks with medicine suppliers abroad, who agreed to cut prices. She said that in some cases suppliers agreed to source their products from different providers where the cost of labour was much cheaper, such as India. This was the second such reduction this year.

The event was also aimed at promoting the use of generic medicines which are as effective as branded medicines but cost less.

Prof Anthony Serracino Inglott, chairperson of the medicines authority announced that under EU plans which are still in the pipeline, doctors will be obliged to prescribe generic medicines as an alternative to branded ones. If not they have to give a valid reason.

Meanwhile it was also announced that a new pharmacy course at doctorate level will be offered by the University of Malta in collaboration with Illinois University of Chicago. Some 26 pharmacists are set to follow the course.

The new medicine prices are listed below.