The UHM has lifted industrial action which this morning forced the early closure of the outpatients' pharmacy at Mater Dei Hospital, to the detriment of a steady stream of people who called for medicines.

A union spokesman said the decision to lift the action was taken after talks with the Health Division, which promised to deploy three more pharmacy technicians to the pharmacy tomorrow. Talks will continue on staff levels.

The pharmacy was closed at 10.30 this morning as the union stepped up industrial action over a shortage of staff.

Only people who are already in the waiting room were served.

The pharmacy normally closes its doors at 1.30 p.m.

The situation at the pharmacy had already deteriorated since Monday after relieving pharmacists, who work in other sections of the hospital, were ordered to stop chipping in at the pharmacy.

The UHM is insisting that four pharmacy technicians need to be employed at the pharmacy.

The UĦM’s health sector representative, Joe Bonello, said last week that the union had no choice but to step up its directives because of government inaction.

The union had long been asking the health authorities to recruit more pharmacists. Although six staff members were recently employed, four experienced pharmacists were transferred without the union being informed and without giving proper training to the new recruits.

Three weeks ago, the union ordered pharmacists to start closing the waiting room doors at 12.30 p.m. Since the situation remained unchanged, last week, the doors were closed at 11.30 a.m.