Some 1,400 new medicines were approved in the last two years making up two out every seven medicines on the market, according to Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli.

Addressing a press conference at the newest pharmacy to open its doors, Crux Pharmacy in Qajjenza, Dr Dalli said the medicines authority was working tirelessly to improve patients' choices.

Many of these medicines were generics and, therefore, cheaper. One such medicine, approved earlier this year, was 87 per cent cheaper than its brand name counterpart, she said.

Dr Dalli said the authority was also working to make it less bureaucratic for new pharmacies to open.

While it took an average of 90 days in the EU for a new pharmacy to open, the latest pharmacy to open in Malta had been given approval after just a few days.