PRESS RELEASE The Kamra ta’ l-Ispizjara ta’ Malta is flabbergasted to say the least at the misinformation which is rampantly evident in the MAM’s kneejerk press release issued today, on the Minister of Health’s proposal for development of Pharmaceutical Care practices by pharmacists in the best interest of patient outcomes. It is inconceivable that, our sister profession should lambast the fact that the Minister of Health has proposed that Malta should follow certain trends which are and have been, long in place and evolving in countries such as the UK and the US. The MAM should see...

The President, Council and Members of the Kamra would like to express solidarity with colleague Stephen Falzon after the shocking hit-and-run road accident at Attard, where his twin daughters were the innocent victims. May family and friends bring you strength, comfort, and support to all in order to get well quickly. We assure Stephen and his family that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during your recovery. Kamra ta' L-Ispizjara ta' Malta

PRESS RELEASE 8th April 2010 The Kamra ta’ l-Ispizjara ta’ Malta shall and has always been in favour of the relocation of pharmacies, but always and only according to Law. The Kamra has been closely following the case of the relocation of a pharmacy in Valletta and notes the court decision ordering the Health Authorities to issue a ‘temporary’ licence for a pharmacy in breach of the Medicines Act (2003) and the Pharmacy regulations (LN 207/07 and amendment 81/2008) The Kamra states that from the very outset, it was never involved in the matter as it developed. The Kamra also notes t...

POYC in the Budget speech 2009 – National rollout to proceed The Kamra ta’ l-Ispizjara ta’ Malta - Malta Chamber of Pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Division of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU note with satisfaction the statement made by the Minister for Finance, Economy and Investment in the Budget speech on Monday, November 9th 2009, consolidating the Government’s commitment to the further rollout of the POYC, to serve 50,000 new patients in the near future. The partners reiterate that this statement is a further seal of success that endorses the tripartite vis...

POYC – Change And Innovation In Community Pharmacy Services Onwards And Upwards! The Kamra ta’ l-Ispizjara ta’ Malta - Malta Chamber of Pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Division of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU note with satisfaction the Minister for Social Policy’s statement in which he confirmed that the POYC rollout shall continue after a long evaluation period. The partners consider this statement as a seal of success that endorses the tripartite vision for community health and pharmaceutical care services to benefit patients. The Kamra ta’ l-Ispizjara ta’ Ma...

Dear Pharmacist, The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists will be holding a seminar on the 15th October between 1.00-3.30p.m. at the Professional Centre, Sliema Road Gzira aimed at addressing the following: 1. Present medicines entitlement system and policies for access to medicines 2. Updated Government Formulary List (September 2009) Keynote speaker at this event shall be Ms. I. Zahra Pulis, Director, Pharmaceutical Policy and Monitoring Directorate (DPPM). All managing and locum pharmacists presently enrolled in the POYC scheme are urged to attend. All other pharmacists are also welcome to...

The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists strongly objects to the recent Times reports on POYC (11th - 12 August): and deplores the poorly researched exercise in ‘doom and gloom’ that went by the name of an editorial to the Times (13th August), which served only to further misinform the public on important health care matters. In the Chamber’s opinion, it is of poor news value to inform the public that an individual alleges that it was he who advised the minister for social policy to ‘stop’ the POYC project and do a ‘stock take’! This is tantamount to nurturing the symptoms of a ‘prima donna’ ...

PRESS RELEASE 11th AUGUST 2009 Reference is made to the article entitled ‘Reimbursement system proposed for free medicines’ (Times pg.3, August 11). This article is filled with misinterpretation of facts and is certainly a disservice to readers, and more importantly, to patients and pharmacists who have the good of the community at heart. The article quotes Mr. Fava as saying that the Chamber of Commerce stopped the national roll-out. This is an incorrect portrayal of the facts, borne out by his later statement as he later admits that his organisation was not consulted in any way on ...

Dear Licence Holders We are holding an urgent meeting TOMORROW Tuesday 23rd June at 8.00 PM for all pharmacy owners in the POYC regarding the tax claim mechanism. This is after intense technical discussions with the Tax Authorities and the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. A high official from the department will be present to address all queries. This meeting is for all licencees and their financial advisers of the POYC Pharmacies . We are sorry for the short notice but circumstances dictate that we hold the meeting as soon as possible. We regret any inconvenience caused. The m...

Managing Pharmacists and pharmacists in Government Health Centre Pharmacies Dear Colleagues, The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists notes that a directive issued by UHM to Government Health centre pharmacists came into force yesterday. This directive states that health centre pharmacies are not to dispense items which are out of stock from POYC pharmacists. Patients presenting with an OOS note issued from a POYC pharmacist’s private practice are not being dispensed with medication from the Government primary health pharmacies. You are surely aware that such a directive is illegal and unethica...