Health authorities have shot down a pharmacist’s fresh claim of political discrimination in the distribution of free medicines.
Replying to questions from Times of Malta, a spokeswoman said the Health Ministry was bound to help patients whenever their free stock of medicines ran out.
On Monday, pharmacist Denise Ellul issued a statement saying that her claims had not been denied at any time in a meeting she had with the permanent secretary.
She added that officials confirmed patients who went to the ministry seeking medicines were being asked for their personal details.
Ms Ellul argued that this was an admission that medicines were being sent to patients and not to pharmacies, as otherwise such information would not have been requested.
However, a ministry spokeswoman told this newspaper that during this meeting Ms Ellul never stated there was political discrimination.
The spokeswoman said the Pharmacy of Your Choice Unit was bound to supply available pharmaceutical stock items whenever patients reported that their particular pharmacy was out of stock.
“POYC seeks to ensure that the patient is registered with the scheme, to ensure that he is entitled for free government pharmaceutical stock in line with the relevant legislation and to ensure that their database reflects the patient’s latest entitlement change among others,” the ministry said.
The spokeswoman remarked that following the outcome of the meeting, the ministry could not comprehend how Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had persisted with his claim of political discrimination.
“The ministry asks Dr Busuttil to come forward with any information to substantiate his allegations,” the spokeswoman said.
Ms Ellul first made her claim during a Nationalist Party political activity at the start of the MEP campaign.
This spurred an internal investigation by the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, who concluded that there was no such discrimination.
Subsequently, the Chamber of Pharmacists and the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises said the government had assured them that the POYC was not subject to political discrimination.