The government is to reform its medicine procurement process to address inefficiencies in this sector, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in the Budget Speech this evening.

He said the government was investing €332.3 million in the health sector, an increase of €13 million from the previous year.

This year 16 new medicines were added to the Government’s formulary list, 11 of which related to cancer treatment. Credit days for the purchase of medicines had been reduced to 120 days and the payments to importers were being processed within the stipulated period.

"We must now reform the system by which the Government is buying medicines. This reform must address the inefficiencies in this sector, the inconvenience endured by patients and the waste of resources in the distribution of medicines," Mr Fenech said.

"We want to render the free medicine service provided by the Government fairer and more accessible to those who are truly in need so as to curtail abuses. We also want to include more medical conditions that are prevalent in today’s society.

He said the pharmacy of your choice scheme would also continue to be extended.