At the end of November 2009 the government owed medicine importers and contractors €15.18 million.
Answering a parliamentary question by Anthony Agius Decelis (PL), Health Minister Joseph Cassar said that besides €200,000 dating back to before 2000, by far the major chunk of the money owed, €14.8 million, was for 2009. There were also €100,000 outstanding from 2008, €30,000 from 2007, €20,000 from 2005 and 2003, and €10,000 from 2004.
Minister Cassar said that the arrears dated to before 2009 made up 2.5 per cent of the total.
These included contested bills.
Answering another parliamentary question by Labour MP Michael Farrugia, Minister Cassar said the total owed to distributors of medicines and medical or surgical equipment at the end of 2009 was €14,983,989.44.