In a statement, Michael Farrugia said that in spite of knowing the facts, the government was not lifting a finger to rectify the situation. To make matters worse, these same medicinals were also out of stock in private pharmacies too.

The government is morally obliged to buy these products from foreign companies as soon as possible. Could it be that the government’s debt with these companies is making it difficult for new orders to be made, Dr Farrugia asked.

It is a shame that patients who need these medicinals are asking relatives and friends who are going abroad to get these medicinals for them, “instead of chocolate and toothpaste”.