Three drugs used by cancer patients added to the national health system

By next week, three types of drugs used by cancer patients will be available on the national health system, provided for free.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said that one drug - Capecitabine 100mg - will be available as of today, as the government works to updated “the short and outdated” list of medicines available to patients for free. 

“A further two will be added next week, with further additions planned over the coming years,” Fearne said. “Within three years, government intends to have an up-to-date stock of free cancer treatments.”

Mitomycine 300mg and Doxcrubicin 70mg will be added next week and it is estimated that 500 people are set to benefit from the three additions.

Fearne was speaking at a press conference held at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

He also announced that, by the end of next month, government will be announcing a holistic plan for the treatment of cancer in Malta: 30% of all deaths are due to cancers.

"It will be discussed in Cabinet over the next month and we will then be launching a public conciliation. We hope to have it rolled out by summer," Fearne said.

The minister stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, noting that the oncology centre provided a combination of state of the art equipment, as well as expertise to tackle cancer in more effective ways. 

Rehabilitation, he added, was also a priority, including physiotherapy as well as psychological services which are offered to patients battling cancer.