Medicine costs have been reduced in some cases by as much as 92 per cent owing to the approval of cheaper generic medicines.
They were among the nearly 1,400 new medications covering a wide range of uses, from antivirals and antibacterials to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and depression, approved by the Medicines Authority over the past two years.
Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli made the announcement yesterday at Crux Pharmacy in Qajjenza, the newest pharmacy to open.
She said the authority was working to improve patients’ choices and allow new pharmacies to open with less bureaucratic hurdles.
Crux Pharmacy obtained approval after just a few days, whereas it takes an average of 90 days for a new pharmacy to open in the EU.