On December 9, I went to the much lauded 'Pharmacy of my Choice' to collect my blood pressure pills and was duly told that one of them - Amlodipine, which I have to take daily - was "out of stock".

The chemist also pointed out that the pills were available for purchase, and could also be available at government clinics or Mater Dei hospital.

As I needed them, I bought a month's supply and have been back to the chemist on a weekly basis to see if stock has been delivered. A month later, I am still waiting. So, from Mellieha I have to drive round to government clinics to try and get my supply.

I appreciate that you have been in charge of the nation's health for only a short time, but important/vital medicines were also out of stock when you were finance minister. So can you please explain to me whether this situation arises from the fact that the government does not pay suppliers and owes them millions of euros? I have every sympathy with the importers of medicines: any trader worth his salt would stop supplying customers if they don't pay.

Or perhaps the government cannot afford to pay, seeing as it has carelessly allowed more than a billion euros to slip through its fingers in uncollected tax, VAT, and so on.

Meanwhile, I hope my Amlodipine pills arrive before I take the long journey to the Addolorata.