Investigate Folidi shortcomings 'without delay' - PN
Opposition urges government to hold an independent probe in case of excessive vitamin D supplement
The Nationalist Party has called for an "independent and immediate" investigation in the Folidi supplement case as it criticised the government’s “silence” on the issue.
The supplement Folidi was urgently recalled after it was found to contain 200 times the amount of Vitamin D than declared on the package, leading to the hospitalisation of 15 women.
In total, 40 women have been treated for dangerously high levels of Vitamin D, 16 of whom are pregnant.
In a statement on Thursday, the PN said any shortcomings need to be identified and addressed “without delay”.
“The PN is calling for an immediate and independent investigation to clarify what occurred and to ensure this never happens again.”
It also demanded clarity on the short- and long-term effects on those who used these products.
A health spokesperson has told Times of Malta that, so far, two cases of miscarriage have been reported to health authorities among patients with a history of Folidi supplement use.
However, the health authorities pointed out that these miscarriages “cannot be definitely attributed to Folidi considering that 20 per cent of all pregnancies result in miscarriage”.
A health ministry spokesperson has said that affected pregnant women will be closely monitored both during and after pregnancy.
Times of Malta has reported that a group of women affected by Folidi are considering legal action.
The manufacturer of the supplement, Gruppo Farmaimpresa, has blamed a supplier error which led to the high levels of Vitamin D and said that the problem was limited to one batch of the supplement.
Folidi has been on the Maltese market since November 2024. The local distributor is Focused Pharma.
The PN has urged for “far greater seriousness” in such matters, adding it wants reassurance that “all those responsible for the importation, quality and control of medicines and related products act with the utmost seriousness and rigour, and that any shortcomings are identified and addressed without delay.”
The Opposition also slammed the government for “not prioritising quality”, saying this was reflected in the fact that Malta ranks low compared to other European countries when it comes to investment in new medicines.