The Ombudsman (Judge Joseph Said Pullicino) said today that Hepatitis C patients are not being given certain medication due to the price.
Through the meeting held with Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne this morning, it was established that Malta, together with other EU countries, plan on pressuring drug companies to reduce the price of Hepatitis C treatment (Harvoni Regime), as it is currently quite high standing at around €75,000 per patient. The Commissioner explained that there are around 1,000 patients suffering from Hepatitis C on the islands. The Ombudsman said that it wouldn't make sense for government to purchase the drug now if government intends to push for lower prices. He did however say that if pressure doesn't work, then some way or another, the treatment would need to be procured.
The Ombudsman released a report, written by Commissioner for Health Charles Messina, where he cites two Hepatitis C patient complaints.
"In these two cases, patients suffering from Hepatitis C are being denied the treatment that is indicated for their serious condition because the health authorities are refusing to provide it due to financial constraints. This, even though the condition is listed in Part II of the Fifth Schedule to the Social Security Act. A fact that entitles these patients to a free supply of the indicated treatment," the Commissioner said.
The Commissioner mentioned in his report that Parliament, in 2012, effectively ordered the procurement of such medication, however it has yet to be procured.
The Health Department in correspondence with the Commissioner said that the cost would risk jeopardising the financial stability of the healthcare system.
In the report, the Commissioner did say however, that there are 35 patients who need the treatment immediately.
Hepatitis treatment cost could jeopardise entire healthcare system - Fearne
In reaction, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne said that giving Hepatitis C patients the medication they were being deprived of would cost as much as €90 million every year. The cost could jeopardise the whole healthcare system.
Instead, the government would be banding together with other small EU member states in a bid to lower the price.
The medication was added to the schedule of medicines in the Social Security Act back in 2012, however, back then the medication cost around €18,000 per patient.
Mr Fearne also said that providing the treatment to the 35 persons mentioned by the Ombudsman would amount to discrimination. The government, he said, was looking to draft a Rare Diseases Policy, to amend similar situations.
Replying to questions, Mr Fearne said there were a number of other medications used to treat rare diseases that were not on the government list because of their high cost reasons.