Exorbitant medicine prices show no sign of easing

Every now and then we read about the exorbitant prices of medicines compared with other EU countries. But neither the government nor the importers ever justify the great difference in these prices.

This situation has now led Labour MEP John Attard Montalto to formally complain to the European Commission, by asking it to investigate the scandalously high prices of medicines in Malta.

There have been many cases reported before the 2008 general election. Realising that such reports were damaging the government in the run-up to that election, the prime minister had announced that medicine prices were being investigated and, where it resulted that certain price hikes were unjustified, they would have to be lowered. Indeed, a few prices were lowered but the vast majority remained the same.

Once the election was over, I did not hear or read about any decrease in medicine prices. Instead, the situation seems to have got worse. Why have Lawrence Gonzi, his minister responsible for consumer affairs, and the authority responsible for consumer protection all remained passive in the face of the 'daylight robbery' that patients are being subjected to.

Is the government also buying medicine from the importers at exorbitant prices? If so, why not directly import the medicines it needs for State hospitals and the pharmacy of your choice scheme for a start? Or is there some tacit agreement with the importers so they would not press it for the payment of around €15 million it owes them?

I sincerely hope that Malta's EU Commissioner John Dalli, who is responsible for consumer affairs and health, will urgently act on Dr Attard Montalto's initiative. After all, we had been promised that once in the EU, its 'free market' policy would bring prices down.