Earlier this week, a statement made during a political event in Nadur caused unnecessary alarm among patients and healthcare professionals alike. The Leader of the Opposition declared that the medicines given by the state under a PN government will not be "generic as they are now, but of a good level so that patients receive the medicines they deserve."
The phrasing suggested that generic medicines are somehow inferior - a notion that is scientifically false and damaging to public confidence. When voiced by a political leader, such comments carry weight. They can erode trust in healthcare professionals, confuse patients, and undermine decades of public health progress built on evidence and transparency.
Generics are safe, effective, and regulated
In swift response, the Malta Medicines Authority (MMA) and the Superintendence of Public Health (SPH) issued a joint statement assuring the public of the safety, efficacy, and quality of all generic medicines on the Maltese market.
Their message was clear: a generic medicine is developed to be the same as an already authorised medicine. It contains the same active ingredients, in the same dose, and is used to treat the same conditions as the original branded product. Generics are manufactured under the same strict EU quality and safety standards and must undergo bioequivalence testing to prove they work in the same way as the originator medicine.
The MMA and SPH reiterated that all medicines - whether generic or branded - authorised in Malta are subject to the same rigorous European Union regulations. Any claim suggesting that generics are of a lower standard is entirely unfounded.
A global scientific consensus
Malta's position aligns with the broader international consensus. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) defines a generic medicine as having "the same qualitative and quantitative composition in active substances and the same pharmaceutical form as the reference medicine."
The World Health Organization (WHO) echoes this view, defining generics as equivalent in dose, strength, route of administration, quality, performance, and intended use. Far from being "cheap imitations," generic medicines are essential tools that ensure access to affordable, life-saving treatments worldwide.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the crucial role of generics in sustaining the affordability of health systems and reducing public spending on medicines. In many EU countries, the widespread use of generics has allowed governments to reinvest savings into innovation, preventive care, and access to advanced therapies.
Together, these global health institutions present a united, evidence-based position: generic medicines are scientifically equivalent, safe, effective, and indispensable for maintaining both clinical quality and the economic sustainability of healthcare systems.
A pharmacist's point of view
As a pharmacist and Member of Parliament, I cannot remain silent when statements risk undermining public understanding of medicine. Every authorised product on Maltese shelves - whether generic or branded - has passed exhaustive testing and regulatory scrutiny. Generics are not "second-best" options. They are therapeutically identical to the original medicines and must prove this equivalence through strict bioequivalence studies before being authorised.
Their lower cost does not reflect lesser quality; rather, it stems from economic efficiency. Generic manufacturers do not repeat the costly early stages of drug discovery and clinical development already completed by the innovator company. Instead, they focus on producing the same medicine once the patent expires, allowing healthcare systems to make treatments more accessible without compromising safety or efficacy.
When public figures imply otherwise, the harm extends far beyond political debate. Such rhetoric risks sowing confusion among patients, discouraging adherence to treatment, and eroding trust in pharmacists and doctors. Trust is the foundation of effective healthcare - and once shaken, it can be difficult to rebuild.
The responsibility of truth in health communication
Healthcare communication demands precision, responsibility, and respect for science. Misinformation - especially from influential voices - can have real-world consequences. It can lead patients to doubt their medicines, skip doses, or even abandon treatment altogether, with serious repercussions for individual and public health.
The truth is simple yet powerful: generic medicines save lives. They expand access to treatment, support the sustainability of public health systems, and ensure that no one is denied care because of cost. They embody the principle that quality healthcare should be a universal right, not a privilege.
As healthcare professionals and policymakers, we share a duty to uphold truth, transparency, and trust. Science, not speculation, must guide our words and decisions. Our citizens deserve reassurance grounded in evidence - that every medicine dispensed in Malta, whether generic or branded, is safe, effective, and held to the same uncompromising standards.
Generics are not just about economics; they are about equity, access, and respect for patients. They represent one of modern medicine's greatest public health achievements.
As a pharmacist and legislator, I will continue to defend the facts and advocate for informed, responsible discourse on healthcare. The wellbeing of our citizens depends on it - and the truth, as always, deserves to be heard.
Romilda Zarb is a PL Member of Parliament