MaltaMedia.com

The Chamber of Pharmacists has announced that it disagrees with the court ruling concerning the Chemimart case. In a press release, Mary Anne Sant Fournier, President of the Chamber, stated that whilst Malta shall and has always been in favour of the relocation of pharmacies it should always and only do it in accordance to Law.

The Chamber has been closely following the case of the relocation of Chemimart 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). It states that from the very outset, it was never involved in the matter as it developed.

The Chamber also notes that with reference to reports of the court proceedings from The Times, the DG Public Health Regulation, who is also invested with the responsibilities of Licensing Authority by virtue of the Medicines Act, failed to uphold the application of the Laws and regulations on the licensing of pharmacies.

In the opinion of the Chamber this is a serious precedent that shall have devastating lasting consequences on the pharmacy system and the reforms in the primary health care sector much advocated by Government.

In the press release, the President stated that it is truly a sad day for Malta if the Government and its Authorities, who have the responsibility to safeguard and uphold the laws and regulations of the country, are perceived to be doing the exact opposite.

The Chamber asks further: where should law abiding citizens look to rest assured that the laws of the country are safeguarded and upheld?