In a news conference in Burmarrad, where the sole pharmacy in the village is under threat of being closed, ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci, who is also contesting for St Paul’s Bay local council, said that this is clearly another case whereby the government takes decisions behind closed doors, with no concern for transparency, and where the interests of citizens are being set aside and swallowed up by financial interests.  She promised that ADPD will remain the shield for people’s rights, and in the meantime will remain vigilant to expose this greed and protect the basic rights of residents living in this country.

 ADPD Secretary General Dr Ralph Cassar explained that the most recent statistical data shows that the population of St Paul’s Bay now exceeds 35,000 people.  “This area also includes Bugibba, Qawra, Xemxija, Wardija and Burmarrad where we are today.  In 2009, when the population was around 18,000, the need for a pharmacy in the Burmarrad was already keenly felt.  More than 12 years ago, the Ombudsman recommended that a pharmacy be opened in Burmarrad.  However, it was not until 2022, after years in courts, that the Superintendent of Public Health was ordered to process the licence for a pharmacy for the Burmarrad community.

Cassar provided further background on the issue. The current pharmacy opened in May of 2023, to the residents’ relief, who back in 2010 had petitioned for a pharmacy to open in Burmarrad.  For 12 whole years, the residents of this village were disappointed about the lack of action taken by the Superintendence of Public Health, the entity which is duty-bound to ensure the health of the public.  After a year of being in operation, the pharmacy is now under threat of closure, as the Superintendence of Public Health is now appealing the licence granted in order to have the establishment closed down.  Such an appeal, concluded Cassar, goes against the wishes of the residents and against the Ombudsman’s report.

ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci said that this is clearly another case whereby the government takes decisions behind closed doors, with no concern for transparency, and where the interests of citizens are being set aside and swallowed up by financial interests.

Gauci emphasised that the law on the licencing of pharmacies is very clear, however what is not clear at all is how the government interprets the law and acts upon the law.  It appears that the government wants to shut down a pharmacy which both the Ombudsman and the courts say conforms with the law, whilst at the same time grant more licences to the select few, keeping in mind that an operator cannot have more than one licenced pharmacy in the same zone.  The needs of the community, which have grown exponentially, are being ignored.  There is the need for the authorities to plan in the long-term, realising that the population of Burmarrad has grown significantly over the last decade and is expected to grow further.

“You cannot take decisions at a desk, ignoring the experiences and needs of people.  There is the need to ensure that things are taken seriously and done with proper long-term planning.  ADPD, once again, has listened to the concerns of the Burmarrad residents and on their behalf, we are asking for this pharmacy to remain open and the appeal withdrawn.  This is a necessary health service for a community which is growing in number, and which includes both elderly people and families with young children,” said Gauci.

“There is the need for the authorities to be in touch with the citizens, come out of the ivory tower that they are in and see exactly what is necessary for the community.  As a party, we pledge our support for the rights of the people, whilst we remain vigilant so that greed does not take over the basic rights of residents in this country,” concluded Gauci.