People over the age of 70 in Paola and Rabat will soon be receiving their medicines at home through a pilot project.

The initiative was announced today by Health Minister Konrad Mizzi during the signing of a service level agreement with the GRTU and the Chamber of Pharmacists.

The pilot scheme will be extended to other localities after four months. Pharmacists will handle the delivery and in return benefit from tax credits.

The Minster said that up to 40,000 patients will be eligible but he also said that signing up for the service will not be obligatory. He said that the government will not pay extra for the services which pharmacists will be rendering.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said that pharmacists will be briefing patients on the right dosage and other information relative to their treatment.

The agreement also extends the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme to 2019.  The agreement will lead to better management of the scheme, with pharmacists having greater control on stock management.