The Chamber of Pharmacists has expressed concern at the Opposition MPs’ Silvio Parnis and Anthony Zammit call for the Medicines Authority to be part of the new Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority.

The chamber said it had consistently and proactively participated in the legislative developments which brought about the enactment of the Medicines Act, which came into effect in 2003, in the run up to Malta’s EU membership in 2004.

This act provided for the establishment of an autonomous Medicines Authority to regulate medicinal products and pharmaceutical activities, on the premise that medicines were not ordinary items of commerce and pharmaceutical activities included the practices of health care professionals.

The chamber reiterated that it had always expressed itself unequivocally on the significance of pharmacy, pharmacists, medicines, and health to Maltese society; and has, through its representations in connection with the enactment of the Medicines Act , striven to ensure that the legislation providing for the Medicines Authority should be robust, guaranteeing its autonomy - financial, administrative and professional.

“The Medicines Authority is not only concerned with the registration of medicines, to ensure their quality, efficacy and safety, which is a significant feat in itself requiring by its very nature full autonomy.

“In fact, the Medicines Authority regulates the activities of the whole pharmaceutical sector and the pharmacy profession.”

The chamber said that the Medicines’ Authority had developed into a credible institution, nationally and internationally, including at European Union level.

“This credibility has been attained through the professionalism and expertise of the pharmacists practising at the Medicines Authority.

“It has undoubtedly also been attained through the implementation of the Medicines Act.

“Moreover, it is very important that this credibility has been attained, in view of the registration needs of Malta’s rapidly developing export-oriented pharmaceutical industry, which is such an important asset to our economy.”

The chamber said it would be regressive for the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority to include the Medicines Authority.

The regulation of the pharmacy profession, it said, should not be lumped in what appeared to be a conflicting situation.