Out-of-stock medicine products are cause of extreme worry for the elderly. Since the change in government, we have been experiencing this situation much more often than previously.

The Pharmacy-of-your-Choice concept was introduced in Qormi, the village where I reside, rather recently. The first time I contacted my PHYC, I was given all the medicine products specified in the medical prescription. After that, however, the pharmacist in charge informed me that one or more types of tablets were out of stock. He advised me to try my luck at the Floriana clinic.

Although I am 77 years old and even disabled, I followed this advice. At the Floriana clinic, I found out that the normal policy is to give only a week’s supply. Consequently, I have been forced to make the Qormi-Floriana trip every week.

Senior citizens are not at all happy with this state of affairs. We feel that, at least, we should go for the out-of-stock pills at our own clinic at Qormi, rather than far-away Floriana.

I would like to point out that I am no social parasite because I regularly still pay my share of income tax on my pension and any other income.

I now ask the following few questions in the hope that someone in authority will urgently offer a reply.

How does the medical authority ensure that a PHYC provider does not later receive the quantity of medicine products already issued by, for instance, the Floriana clinic to the clients of that particular PHYC?

When is Louise Coleiro Preca, Minister of the Family and Social Solidarity, going to make good her pre-election promise that senior citizens will receive their medicine at their own home?

Will senior citizens be reimbursed for the money spent on bus tickets to pick up the weekly handouts at the Floriana (or some similar) clinic?