The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority is committed to ensure fair and affordable pricing of medicines for consumers.
To this end, the authority employs external price referencing under the provisions of a voluntary agreement between the government and stakeholders of the local pharmaceutical industry.
Essentially, the retail price of a medicine in several European countries is used to derive a reference price and, in instances where the local price exceeds the benchmark, discussions are held with the importers in an attempt to secure price reductions at manufacturer level.
Such reductions, in turn, translate to lower consumer prices. The cooperation and support of the Medicines Authority contributes to the success of this exercise.
Consumers may also save money when, under the guidance of their prescribing doctor or pharmacist, opt to buy generic drugs that are normally substantially cheaper than their brand equivalents.
Additionally, generic medicines also play an important role in lowering the prices of off-patent innovator drugs and other generic equivalents.
Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli has announced the reduction in price of 14 medicines used for the treatment of a number of conditions.
Some of the revised prices are already in effect, whereas others will be introduced in the coming weeks. Market surveillance officers from the MCCAA will be on the lookout to ensure that medicines are sold according to the published prices.
For more information and help, consumers may call the MCCAA on 2395 2000 or the Medicines Authority’s helpline on 2343 9111 between Monday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.
Above is a full list of medicines that have been or will be reduced in price.
| Name of medication | Active ingredient | Indication | Old price | New price | Savings for consumers | 0% change | Available from |
| Actonel Plus Ca & D 35mg film-coated Tablets + 1000mg/880IU effervescent granules x4 | Risedronate Calcium Colecalciferol | Osteoporosis | €45 | €33.38 | €11.62 | 26% | Already in effect |
| Actonel Once a week 35mg film coated tablets x4 | Risedronate | Osteoporosis | €34.20 | €27.36 | €6.84 | 20% | Already in effect |
| Sumatriptan Aurobindo 50mg tablets x6 | Sumatriptan | Migraine | €16 | €13.60 | €2.40 | 15% | May 1, 2015 |
| Mirtazapine Aurobindo 45mg ODT x30 | Mirtazapine | Major Depressive Episodes | €19 | €16.15 | €2.85 | 15% | May 1, 2015 |
| Amlodipine Aurobindo 10mg tablets x28 | Amlodipine | Hypertension Angina | €9 | €7.65 | €1.35 | 15% | May 1, 2015 |
| Paroxetine Aurobindo 20mg tablets x30 | Paroxetine | Depression and/or anxiety disorders | €9.75 | €8.30 | €1.45 | 15% | May 1, 2015 |
| FOSAVANCE 70mg/5600IU tablets x4 Colecalciferol | Alendronate | Osteoporosis | €38.95 | €34.95 | €4.00 | 10.3% | May 4, 2015 |
| Tobradex Eye Drops suspension 5ml | Tobramycin Dexamethasone | Eye infections | €7.49 | €6.87 | €0.62 | 8.3% | April 7, 2015 |
| Klacid 125mg/5ml Paediatric Oral Suspension x70ml | Clarithromycin | Antibacterial | €10.67 | €9.85 | €0.82 | 7.7% | May 4, 2015 |
| Diamicron MR 60mg prolonged release tablets x30 | Gliclazide | Diabetes | €12.40 | €11.65 | €0.75 | 6% | April 7, 2015 |
| Klacid 250mg/5ml Paediatric Oral Suspension x70ml | Clarithromycin | Antibacterial | €19.73 | €18.75 | €0.98 | 5% | May 4, 2015 |
| Bonviva 150mg film-coated tablets x1 | Ibandronic acid | Osteoporosis | €46.36 | €36.90 | €9.46 | 20.4% | May 4, 2015 |
| Xenical 120mg hard capsules x84 | Orlistat | Obesity | €87.35 | €73.90 | €13.45 | 15.4% | May 4, 2015 |
| Evista 60mg film-coated tablets x28 | Raloxifene | Osteoporosis | €35.90 | €32.90 | €3.00 | 8.4% | May 4, 2015 |
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.