Pharmacies to be stocked with HIV medication on Monday, ending shortage

Pharmacies around Malta are set to be restocked with HIV medication on Monday after emergency deliveries from Portugal and the UK arrived on Saturday, health authorities have confirmed. 

A spokesperson for the Health Ministry told Times of Malta that stocks of HIV mediation were exhausted on Friday, however following intervention from the Central Processing and Supplies Unit, Mater Dei hospital is now “in a position to give stock to all the patients that are entitled and due”.

“As from Monday, all the concerned pharmacies will be supplied with adequate stock. This is in fact one of the novelties of the new system we are rolling out, which will also include new and more convenient medication, for which Malta is investing over €3 million,” the spokesperson said. 

While the spokesperson did not specify which medications had been restocked, it was noted that this included a new modern regimen of treatment for people living with HIV. 

The ministry added that concerns about the impact of Brexit, particularly with the pharmaceutical market had been raised with the European Commission and that ad hoc solutions and derogations were being proposed for states like Malta, Ireland and Cyprus...