A Nationalist Party proposal to refund the cost price of out-of-stock medicines when purchased privately was "the first step towards charging for healthcare," Labour leader Joseph Muscat charged this afternoon. 

Speaking at a party activity in Ta' Farsina, Qormi, Dr Muscat warned the crowd not to be taken in by the PN's refund promise. 

"The Prime Minister was clear. He said they would refund you the amount the medicines cost them. But the government buys generic medicines in bulk, at much cheaper prices than you can get in a pharmacy. So you'll end up spending €10 but only getting €4 back," he said.

It was the PL which had introduced universal free healthcare, Dr Muscat said, addind that the principle continued to be pivotal in the party's policies.

The PN refund proposal was also flawed because it removed any incentive the government had to stock medicines in the first place, the PL leader said. 

"Why would the government bother with tendering, procuring, and stocking medicines if it can just issue these refunds instead?" he asked. 

Dr Muscat told the crowd that it was the PL that had introduced free universal healthcare, "and under us, it will continue to be free for everyone". 

He said the PL would also oblige health authorities to decide on adding specialised medicines to a government-provided list within a set period of time, and said there was plenty of scope for further private sector involvement in healthcare.

With most of its health announcements - which Dr Muscat said were only part of the PL's healthcare plans - the party had reached 100 proposals during this electoral campaign, he noted.

He said that health centres needed a complete revamp and argued that revamping them and expanding primary healthcare would ease the strain being put on Mater Dei. 

PL candidate and family doctor Godfrey Farrugia agreed.

"Try going to the polyclinic right now - you'll find the doors closed. Up to some years ago, you could see a dentist there. Not anymore.This government has failed." 

Dr Muscat urged young people to consider nursing as a potential career path. "Back in 2004, this government decided we didn't need any more nurses. Now we've resorted to recruiting them from abroad. We'll be needing many more in the years to come," he said.