Addressing a press conference at the Malta Life Sciences Centre which is to host the new premises of the Medicines Authority, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli commended the Malta Medicines Authority for its involvement in the Medical School Conference which will be held between 3 and 5 December.

Minister Dalli stated that this conference represents a good platform where professional relationships can be strenghtened, as well as providing an excellent opportunity for scientific networking.

The theme of the Medicines Authority Activity Stand is ‘Medicines: Safety and Access’. Minister Dalli emphasised how the safety of medicines is a well-established priority area for the Medicines Authority, where safe production standards and the safe usage of medicinal products still remain one of the chief concerns of the Medicines Authority.

Minister Dalli spoke about the Medicines Authority’s achievements in increasing the accessibility of medicinal products. This is being done in joint collaboration with the consumer entity, MCCAA, and has provided a number of demonstrable benefits for the consumer, such as the numerous price reductions of medicines announced over the past 24 months.

Dr Dalli said that, as a result of third-country inspections in the area of EU Good Manufacturing Practice that the Authority carried out in a short span of time, ten of these inspections resulted in an income of over €200,000 from outside Europe.

Dr Dalli also stated that the decision to relocate the Medicines Authority to the Malta Life Sciences Centre is an example of active listening, since the relocation was taken following a recommendation by the relevant stakeholders and with the support of the Ministry for Social Dialogue.

“The strategic and scientific environment of the Malta Life Science Centre provides the Authority with a workplace comparable to that of other European agencies in other European countries”, added Dr Dalli.

The press conference also marked the introduction of a new corporate image and branding for the Medicines Authority.

Accompanied by the Medicines Authority Chairman Prof. Anthony Serracino Inglott, Dr Dalli was shown around the new floors of the Life Science Centre.