I would like to bring to light two instances that I personally experienced, to back Daphne Caruana Galizia article “Some doctors are corrupt” (TMIS, 17 September).

Years back, I had visited our family doctor at his clinic cum pharmacy. After seeing me, he wrote out a prescription I gave to the pharmacist on my way out. I was charged Lm36 for the smallest tube of ointment, the size of four matchsticks glued together. Shocked, I retorted, “What’s it made of, molten gold?!”

Before leaving, the doctor stealthily pulled me round the corner and inquired how much I was charged. That led me to believe he was being paid a commission.

On relating this to a friend working at St Luke’s Hospital, his comment was ghandek tabib bla kuxjenza because he said I could have been given an alternative at a small fraction of that price, which would have the same result.

That’s when Dr... stopped being our family doctor!

The other instance was when a doctor from the Gzira clinic was called to see my sick husband. Before he left, I asked what I owed him. Sure enough, he said Lm10. I learnt, too late, that home visits were also free.

I also know of a lady who was asked to see her family doctor while he was on duty at St Luke’s and was still charged the usual Lm8.

“Sticking out your neck on behalf of other doctors.” Dr Mallia would be in a very precarious position indeed!

Astrid Cassar

SLIEMA