An inquiry appointed by the Minister of Health has established that doctors were right to use expired Tamiflu medicine at Mater Dei Hospital after assessing that it was still effective.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said in parliament that when the incident happen (in May), there was a shortage of the medicine locally and it was difficut to immediately import it. Clinicians had recommended continued use of expired batches.

Subsequent tests had shown that the batch used at Mater Dei was 96 per cent effective when the acceptable level was of not less than 90 per cent.

The medicine had therefore been effective and lives had been saved.

In fact the patients were subsequently released from hospital.

Mr Fearne said recommendations made on improved procurement procedures would be adopted. 

The minister said another investigation had established that there were no irregularities in the election of the Nurses Council and the result will therefore stand. However procedures will be improved.