€1.4 million spent on medicines every month

Labour's electoral promise to start delivering medicines at home will be included "in future budgets", the Health Minister said today but did not commit himself to a timeframe.

Minister Godfrey Farrugia said it was up to the government to decide the best time to implement this pledge.

"Studies were made and now it's at the government's discretion to decide when it should come into effect," Farrugia said, while visiting the Pharmacy Of Your Choice offices at St Luke's Hospital.

Farrugia was accompanied by President George Abela.

The minister said that out of stock medicines and misuse of stock remained the greatest challenges, but reassured that the appointment of an auditor to the POYC will help oversee the operating costs.

According to POYC CEO Roseanne Camilleri, €1.4 million were being spent on a monthly basis in medicines.

"On a monthly basis, €1.4 million are being spent on medicines, making the POYC the largest public wholesaler in Malta," she said, adding that almost one in every four Maltese made use of the scheme.

According to Farrugia, the costs of the POYC are currently 300% more than the costs under the previous administration.

Upon hearing these figures, the President urged the public to make use of the scheme responsibly He also encouraged the staff at POYC to continue providing the best possible service.

"It's of utmost importance that one has peace of mind that he will get the medicines needed," Abela said.