The Nationalist Party slammed the government for not restocking new medicines after a report revealed that Malta had the access to lowest number of new medicines in the European Union.

A report published by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and healthcare consultants (IQVIA), showed that Malta had access to the lowest number of new innovative medicines approved in the EU between 2018 and the end of 2021.

Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed that there were 24 medicines out of stock on Monday when responding to a parliamentary question put forward by PN MP Claudette Buttigieg.

This report was discussed during a PN press conference on Friday, addressed by PN MPs Stephen Spiteri and Ian Vassallo.

Spiteri said that this was not only a problem in the public sector but also in the private sector. He specifically mentioned medicine for chemotherapy which has been scarce and has been negatively affecting cancer care.

Last week in parliament, Fearne confirmed that the fluorouracil chemotherapy drug used to treat internal cancers, was back in stock after it had been out of stock for over a week.

Spiteri also mentioned the shortcomings in psychiatric care and called Mount Carmel "obsolete," but also said that patients are not receiving the best care as they are not receiving the right medication.

When mentioning the hospitals' concession agreement, he said that because the government chose not to invest in Malta's health sector, Mater Dei is "drowning" with people waiting hours in emergency and the outpatients ward being over packed.

Vassallo added that he has been in contact with a number of importers who have said that the government does not carry out orders for new medicine, or it takes too long to carry out orders.

Both Spiteri and Vassallo insisted that the PN has a vision and a plan to improve the health sector. This plan would include more investment into new facilities such as a mental health centre, plans to renovate St Luke's hospital and more operating theatres to make the system more efficient.

Vassallo also mentioned that there needs to be an investment to improve the technology and machinery available and increase the lack of human resources.

Asked by the media about the environmental protest that will be taking place on Saturday and whether, since it was not a political protest, the PN will be taking part, Spiteri said that overdevelopment is also linked to the health sector. He referred to a report written up by the Commissioner for Mental Health which pointed out the effects that overdevelopment and the lack of open space have on people's mental health.

"Open spaces need to be natural and they need to be taken care of."

"If anyone feels obliged to participate, why not. This is a good cause."