The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) should be classified as "essential" within the Maltese Government Formulary List, the Malta Medical Students' Association's standing committee on reproductive Health (MMSA-SCORA) wrote in a statement. 

Recently, Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rosianne Cutajar has said that contraceptive medicine should be considered as essential and prescription free. 

The MMSA - SCORA has come out stating that not only should the OCP be classified as essential medicine, but also encourages that services at the GU clinic be available all year round in light of the shortcomings that have been evident in the past few months, where patients were requiring support that they couldn't get.

"The OPC is a medication used by many women in Malta for various reasons including birth control, as well as conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, acne, and many more, as it maintains hormonal balance. The repetitive occurrence of such medication (namely Zoely and Qlaira) going out of stock locally, as well as the illegality of abortion, has pushed for the need for the OCP to be classified as an essential medicine, whilst simultaneously encouraging the services offered at the GU clinic to be made a necessity."

MMSA-SCORA highlighted that finding the ideal OCP requires trial and error, and that if an individual has to use an alternative contraceptive drug each time their preferred drug is out of stock, it could lead to various side effects. The organisation has also stated that to obtain the OCP there is a need for a prescription, due to the many side effects and/or contraindications it may have.

"Being a drug that is taken daily, we strongly believe that it should remain a prescription item, purely for the safety of the patient. By advocating for the classification of the OCP as an essential drug, we are encouraging constant availability of such medication, thus relieving the burden women face when it happens to be out of stock-  be it for contraceptive or other medical reasons."

Health Ministry yet to comment

Whilst numerous women NGO's, the Nationalist Party and professionals have spoken up regarding the discussion on the Contraceptive pill, there has been no response from the Health Ministry. This newsroom has sent a number of questions to the Ministry and at the time of writing, is still waiting a reply.