AD comments on medicine prices that ‘Words must be matched by action’
- AD calls for for price transparency on medicines
- Further price reductions announced on certain medicines
- Further price reductions of some medicines announced
- Review and controversy on the pricing of medicines continues
- AD calls on the government to assist farmers
- AD opposes Chamber of Commerce Proposals on Medicines
- Rising cost of Panadol
- Medicines can be reduced by as much as 30% – AD
- Malta most expensive country in EU for consumer electronics
- COLA should be given in full to workers – AD
- GRTU deplores increases in the price of gas cylinders
- Inflation eating through people’s salaries – AD
- AD and GRTU leadership meet for discussions
- Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children
- Consumer Alert regarding ‘Bindeez’ and ‘Aquadots’ toy product
Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party agrees with the government’s declared intention to clamp down on abuses in medicine prices and hopes that words will be matched by concrete actions.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson said, “We agree with a consumer agency which would have the legal power to order a price change if an importer, without justification, refused to voluntarily cut the price of a particular medicine found to be selling at a higher price than the EU average.”
“Statistics tabled in parliament which compared the price of 119 medicinal products in Malta with those in the European Union showed that on average, Maltese consumers pay around 40% more for imported medicinal products than fellow Europeans. Some prices were 70% more than the European average. Government should verify whether monopolistic practices in the importation of medicines and the small size of the Maltese market are the main causes of high prices of medicines.”
“The government has procrastinated for too long on this vital issue. We ask for an act of responsibility from all the stakeholders in this issue. But if the importers remain stubborn, the government should consider buying medicines directly from the international market to ensure better prices for the consumer. Malta cannot afford having patients not affording a medicinal product,” concluded Michael Briguglio.
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