May I make the following suggestion to Helena Dalli, the minister responsible for consumer affairs, on the question of the scandalous prices of medicine.

I understand, and stand to be corrected, that EU regulations prohibit the government from subjecting medicine prices to some form of government control. In my last letter, I had pointed out the possibility which exists whereby medicine importers are able to increase prices of some medicinals at the same time as lowering the prices of others.

While the public is immediately informed when prices are lowered, it is unaware, as, indeed, is the government, when prices of medicine products are raised.

In order to dissuade importers from resorting to such a devious practice, may I suggest that regulations are issued obliging medicine importers to inform the minister or the authorities concerned whenever importers raise the price of any medicine. The minister or authorities concerned would be obliged to inform the public of these price increases in the same way as when prices are lowered, namely, on TV, radio and all newspapers.