The prices of medicines have been reduced once again, the government announced today during a news conference held at the premises of AM Mangion - a medicine distributor in Luqa.

Some medicine prices had already been reduced while other medicines will be reduced as from 4 May.

A total 14 medicines have been reduced by five to 26%, most of which are used for the treatment of osteoporosis, migraine, heart-related problems, depression, diabetes, obesity and eye infections.

Some of the medicines include Actonel Plus which is prescribed to patients who have bone-related issues – the prices of this medicine was reduced by a good 26% - and is now selling at €33.38 instead of €45. As a result, the consumer will be benefitting from an €11.62 reduction.

Sumatriptan – a medicine which is used to treat migraine - has been reduced by 15%. This means that patients will save €9.46 since the medicine initially sold for €46.36 and now is to start selling at €36.90.

During the news conference, AM Mangion company chairman Alfred Mangion confirmed that the Medicines Authority has made exceptional progress in the last two years.

Meanwhile, Minister Helena Dalli said that through the setting up of the Medicines Intelligence and Access Unit, there now is a wider choice of medicines sold in Malta.

The chairman of the Medicines Authority – Prof Anthony Serracino Inglott – said that the reduction in medicine prices became a reality thanks to the work conducted by the MCCAA. He said that the authority was conducting inspections overseas, including India, to certify certain medicines so that they could be shipped to Europe.