VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Revised European Union pharmaceuticals legislation is expected to significantly improve the availability of medicines in Malta, following the approval of amendments aimed at helping small and island member states.
MEPs endorsed the outcome of negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission and Council on an updated pharmaceuticals package. The deal includes amendments proposed by Maltese MEP Peter Agius to improve access to medicines and ease price pressures in smaller markets.
A key change will allow Malta to source medicines from across the EU, rather than being largely limited to English-speaking countries. This follows the introduction of a multilingual digital electronic code for patient information, removing long-standing language barriers.
“The market supplying Malta will suddenly expand from Ireland and the UK to all the 26 other Member States,” Agius said, calling the reform a major step forward for patients.
The legislation also introduces supply obligations for pharmaceutical companies. Firms that fail to meet requests from smaller states for new medicines could face the loss of patent protection.
Malta currently ranks among the lowest in Europe for medicine availability, with some drugs arriving up to five years later than elsewhere. Oncology medicines are particularly scarce, with availability rates far below EU averages.
The new rules, to be phased in from 2028, aim to give Malta stronger leverage with drug manufacturers. Agius stressed that effective national implementation will be crucial and urged safeguards to prevent supply disruptions during the transition.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
