Diabetics oppose means tested medicine

The Maltese Diabetes Association yesterday told President Eddie Fenech Adami that diabetics would suffer if the system of free medicine were to be changed under proposed budgetary measures.

In a meeting with the President at the Palace, association president Anna Zammit McKeon said the government provided free blood glucose strips to diabetics until the age of 36, while all diabetics were entitled to free medicine and insulin with the pink card.

"Unfortunately, in the last budget the government announced it was considering introducing a means test and changing the system of free medicine."

Such a measure would be detrimental to those who were striving to improve their situation, she said. "Apart from their normal expenses, they would have to fork out at least another Lm30 a month to buy medicine, insulin and strips."

She said this might lead to some people neglecting their condition and possibly ending up in hospital for treatment.

"Our association believes that prevention is better than cure and any money the government directs towards prevention is a wise investment to reduce the burden of additional costs for hospital treatment."

A total of 30,000 people are estimated to be suffering from diabetes in Malta but the association expects to see a 20 per cent rise by 2025. At least 50 per cent of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition.

On the subject of free medicine, Dr Fenech Adami said that as President it was not within his remit to decide on budgetary measures. However, every government had to look at its available funds and use them in the best possible way.

The association also appealed to Dr Fenech Adami to use his influence to help it find larger headquarters, since it was operating from a small room within the British Legion premises in Valletta.

After explaining the association's role, Ms Zammit McKeon informed the President that for the first time the association had managed to have a Maltese member appointed to the board of the International Diabetes Federation's European region. Its vice-president, Chris Delicata, will occupy the post for three years.