Industrial action by at state pharmacies has been lifted, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced today.
UHM-Voice of the Workers had ordered some 23 industrial actions over a lack of progress in talks on a new sectorial agreement.
Patients were being affected by the strike, with state pharmacies opening one hour late and closing an hour early and staff not asnwering phone calls or processing schedule V cards (karta s-safra). The Pharmacy of Your Choice service was also affected.
A union representative had told this newspaper that the union’s proposals were not just about financial requests but also education, specialisation and lifelong education for pharmacists.
The Chamber of Pharmacists had urged both sides to return to negotiating table. The Health Ministry had later confirmed that meetings would be held to trash out pending issues.
In a tweet Tuesday morning, Fearne said the directives had been lifted by UHM. “Many thanks to all involved for the goodwill to find a way forward. Services at POYC back to normal.”