Initiatives through which more information on medicines is being given to consumers and health care professionals has been launched by the Medicines Authority.

These form part of an ongoing campaign, ‘Know Your Medicines’ – ‘Il-Mediċini Tiegħek: X`Għandek tkun taf’. They are being carried out in line with the results of a research carried out by the authority with Maltese consumers.

The research shows that more than 60 per cent of consumers who participated in telephone interviews, always or frequently read the package leaflet accompanying a medicine before taking the medicine for the first time.

More than 85 per cent of consumers who participated in the survey were not aware of the difference between originator medicines and generic medicines.

The survey also shows that three per cent of consumers have bought medicines through the internet, while 35 per cent of consumers who experienced a side effect, reported it to the doctor.

These results were presented during a visit by Parliamentary Secretary for Consumers and Fair Competition Chris Said, at the Medicines Authority. Dr Said was received by the chief executive officer Patricia Vella Bonanno.

Chris Said said that the MA last year authorised 550 medicines to be placed on the local market. He said that since the establishment of the authority seven years ago, the pharmaceutical sector has undergone a significant reform and there were now in Malta more than 25 licensed manufacturers and importers, more than 70 licensed wholesale dealers, and more than 200 licensed pharmacies.

Through the authority, the whole distribution chain of medicinal products was regulated, from their manufacturing or importation up to the point when they are sold to the public, he said.

Dr Vella Bonanno described the initiatives being taken and said that the relevant information was on the recently launched www.knowyourmedicines.gov.mt .

The list of medicinal products authorised to be placed on the market in Malta was on www.maltamedicineslist.com. An information leaflet on medicines has been published and is being distributed to all pharmacies in Malta and Gozo, and door to door visits were being carried out in the localities of councils which responded to the authority’s invitation. A new information leaflet on originator and generic medicines is being prepared.

The Medicines Authority has also created a page on facebook (www.facebook.com/medicinesmalta) and a helpline service (2343 9111) for general information on medicines. This service is offered Mondays to Fridays between 9 a.m. and noon.