What started as an initiative to bolster patients’ rights is beginning to look like an initiative that will diminish animal rights. It seems that up till now several species of animals were benefiting from Malta’s over generous system of free medicine. This Franciscan type of magnanimity with “Our brother the horse” and “our sister the bitch” can soon become a thing of the past thanks to the “Pharmacy of your choice scheme”.

The beans were spilt by Noel Grima’s story on the front page of The Malta Independent on Sunday (January 6, 2008).

“Free medicine – for horses and dogs” the heading read. “There was a person, for instance, who regularly got eight half litre bottles of a particular lactulose (purgative) which, had he taken them, would have incapacitated him permanently and worse! It was discovered that this medicine is very good for horses.

Another case regarded a particular medicine for gout. Judging by the quantities given out, it seemed that half the population of Malta suffered from gout – until somebody discovered that this medicine makes dogs’ hair shiny.”

We all know that the system of free medicines is used, overused and abused – and not just by those who would like to further the interests of their pets. People collect medicine regularly and do not take it. Many are the old, and not so old people who have loads of unused medicines at home. Stories about people who sell medicines they get from hospital are not very few and far between.

Behind many persons who abuse the system there is probably a doctor who is not doing his or her duty well enough. In some cases it could be that doctors are active participants in this abuse.

Such abusers are not only stealing our tax money, they are also probably harming other people.

Such abuses listed above cost the state millions of euros. Abuses in the system siphon government money away from persons who really need the stuff. There is less money for those who are in real need of help. As a result these suffer and can even die.

Last year the plight of persons suffering from cancer, those suffering from dementia and some skin related maladies was brought to the public’s attention. It was stated that some cancer treatments cost €35,000 a year. Some of the cures needed for cancer are not on the list of free medicines given by the government. The Community Chest Fund helps as much as it can. The rest of the bill has to be forked out by the patient. This is a heavy burden which many cannot bear.

Those who are abusing the system are making life difficult for these persons. This is shameful.

But the system is open to another kind of abuse. Free medicines are given to many, even to those who can easily afford them. This happens because several medicines are available free of charge without any means testing. This is not right.

Free medicines should be available only to those who cannot afford them. The money saved should then go towards the funding of expensive medicines or toward inexpensive medicines which, in particular cases, cannot be bought by some people.

Government monies should be spent only on those who need this help.

“L-immankati”

Last December the National Commission Persons with Disability launched a document called Rights, not charity. The document was subtitled by this sentence: “Guidelines towards an inclusive society and a positive difference in the lives of Maltese and Gozitan disabled people.”

I was invited to speak during the launch of the document. I criticised the subtitle for its partiality. Every step towards an inclusive society is not just a step that makes a positive difference in the lives of disabled people. It is a step that makes a positive difference in the lives of all Maltese. Whenever members of society are excluded or their dignity is not respected enough, the dignity of all the members of society is offended. We are our brother’s keepers. Our lives are intertwined intimately with the lives of others. When some are hurt, I am hurt. When someone is not empowered I am not empowered.

The document has many positive points. It is another important building block for an inclusive society which respects the rights and dignity of all. The document refers to several Maltese words which in the opinion of the National Commission are not acceptable as they are both negative and patronising. Among these words are “l-immankati”, “iz-zopop” and “il-maghtuba”. By some evil kind of irony all these words were read in our churches as part of the proclamation of the Bible texts used during the liturgy in the same week that the National Commission launched its document.

I know that it is not an easy task to update all the lectionary. This task has been on the discussion table these last 10 years. But it should be very easy to pick up the offending texts and just change those. It would mean that each church would receive a few pages of a more updated translation. It can easily be done. It should be done.

Shameful

A friend of mine went to Mater Dei to be given his usual dose of pills and other medicines. His is a genuine case. No dogs or horses benefit. Only he does; and quite naturally his family since they feel better when his health is better.

He goes up to the counter and presents the relevant documents. The person in charge opens a bottle and given him one pill which is the allotment for one day. He looks surprised. “What happened?” he asked. “Is there a shortage?” “No” was the prompt answer. “But there is an industrial action going on. We only give you medicine for one day.” “Do you expect me to come again tomorrow for another pill?” he asks. “There is an industrial action” was the repeat answer.

I do not know what this is all about. I know only one thing. Those who behave in such a way to persons in need of medicine are shameful and obscene.