The Health Division pointed out that as Malta is now a signatory party to the Schengen Convention, the Schengen principles of free circulation of people will hold for Maltese travellers travelling from one Schengen state to another. Checks at internal borders for sea were lifted as from yesterday, those for air travel will be removed on 30 March, 2008.

What this means is that residents in Malta who travel to another Schengen state, and who, during this period of travel, require to take narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances for medical treatment (i.e. medicines which are only available from health centre pharmacies and retail pharmacies against a green prescription [Form DH 129] and control card [Form DH 680(i)), are required to be in possession of a specific medical certificate. This medical certificate is obtained from doctors, who are to clearly and wholly fill in sections A, B and C of the said certificate.

The division further instructed the public to proceed to the Drug Control Unit at 3B Old Mint Street, Valletta, with the medical certificate for final authentication. The Drug Control Unit will then fill in Section D of the medical certificate. A separate certificate is required for each narcotic /psychotropic substance prescribed.

As from Friday the Schengen states will include the following: Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The older members of the Schengen Agreement are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, Norway (non-EU country) and Iceland (also a non-EU state).

As from October 2008, Switzerland (a non-EU country) will also be joining the other Schengen countries, while towards the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009, Cyprus, the UK and Ireland are also expected to become signatory to the Schengen Convention.