Pharmacists have raised concerns about their ability to continue supplying patients with expensive chemotherapy medication as the Malta Community Chest Fund, which finances some of the treatments, has fallen behind on payments due to a shortage of funding.
Multiple professionals from the industry who spoke to The Shift on condition of anonymity have described how chemotherapy medications supplied to patients sponsored by the MCCF have not been paid for, placing a burden on their own companies that are unable to pay suppliers.
They said the funds due amount to hundreds of thousands of euro.
The pharmacists stressed that such treatments should be done by the government rather than offloaded onto the MCCF.
It is understood that discussions between the Health Ministry and the Minister of Finance Clyde Caruana have led the government to issue assurances to pharmacists that the situation would be solved soon.
The government is expected to fork out €6.5 million to cover the MCCF debts.
MCCF chairman John Huber was criticised for allowing this situation to develop on his watch. Mario Debono, Pharmacies Representative of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, said the MCCF’S mismanagement of funds boiled down to Huber’s “incompetence”.
Huber replaced former MCCF chairperson Marlene Mizzi in October 2021.
When contacted by The Shift, Huber refused to comment: “I am not even allowed to comment. I am the Chair on the board of a charity that administers funds for assistance, and that’s about it”.
The unpaid medications, which can cost some €3,500 to €6,000 per round of treatment, have caused pharmacies and suppliers alike to raise concerns on whether they can continue to supply patients with the vital medication given the debt, with some claiming that suppliers have closed off their accounts due to the debts transferred up the supply chain.
The pharmacists who spoke to The Shift noted that “If we end up in a situation where the government is funding the MCCF for it to fund treatments instead of doing so itself, it’ll be a farce”.
“This is vital medication. Allocating funds to people’s health and treatments should come above some road or infrastructural project,” one pharmacist said.
Maltese cancer patients needing chemotherapy medication are eligible for sponsorship by the MCCF. The patients receive an authorisation from the MCCF, which they present at a pharmacy of their choice, procuring the medicine at no cost. The pharmacy then invoices the MCCF for the amount due.
The system, introduced by ex-President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, initially limited patients to purchase their medications exclusively from Brown’s pharmacies. It was later expanded to allow patients to choose their pharmacy.
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What a shame. Less spending on bad governance and undisclosed amounts on frivolous festivals and government (taxpayers’ funds) would solve this problem.
So right. So sad. So inhuman.
Hu DAVID CURMI U CIANTAR JAQALAW L ELUF FIX XAHAR. X MISTHIJA
It is disgustingly shameful to blame or hint mismanagement of any sort by any MCCF personnel under the present management and the hospices of the Hon President George Vella who painstakingly are continually trying to fund medication when it should be the government?s responsibility to do so. This is done in the absolute majority of other EU countries and not squander people taxes on incompetent hospital shady deals .
Besides , should the government issue tenders for the much needed chemotherapy then the price procured would be much less expensive since it is open to competition , plus larger quantities etc, than when supplied directly to MCCF . Why fund MCCF , issue tenders , and allow MCCF to use their funds for other social realities .
Thank to God, a a lot of patients out their own their well being to MCCF and no business representation or other authorities .
Besides , all cases of medication funding are reviewed by a board which also consists of medical professionals. So , please if there is anyone insinuating mismanagement please substantiate or shut up .
Nobody has insinuated mismanagement, as you say. The point was that the government should be handling this. Perhaps listen to people’s concerns before coming out raging in defence of an institution rather than addressing legitimate concerns.
The words mismanagement and incompetence are both mentioned in the article !!!
Kif Labour Dejjem ikun Kontra s-SOCJETA’ MALTIJA – Labour ma’ Jhossx ghall-Poplu Malti – l-Aqwa li huma Jkomplu “JITHANZRU” – (kif fl-ahhar qabziyilha u ‘Besqitha’ b’Mod Ferm Qawwi bejniethom(bil-mohbi tal-Haddiema) – imma fl-Ahhar Malta Kollha Semetha din l-FAMUZA FRAZI: “KOLLHA QED JITHANZRU” – (ovvja mhux il-haddiema imma dawk li l-haddiema afdaw fit-Tmexxija!)
The Malta Chamber of SME Council has taken note of the comments reported on the article above about supply of chemotherapy medication by the President?s Foundation. The article quotes Mr Mario Debono as SME Chamber representative making a number of statements with regards to the Malta Community Chest Fund and its Chairperson.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs completely disassociates with the statements made. The SME Chamber was not informed by Mr Debono on the matter and his actions in this respect were unauthorised and certainly not representative of the Chamber?s values and official stance. The SME Chamber has for the time being suspended Mr Debono from his position as Council Member pending further procedures as outlined in the SME Chamber?s Statute.
The SME Chamber officials have already apologised directly to Mr Huber and we reassure Mr Huber of our support in his work as MCCF Chairperson and our support to the valid work of the Malta Community Chest Fund.