Malta needs to invest more in preventive healthcare and a more advanced primary care system, PN Leader Alex Borg said.

"The challenges faced by this sector - including the shortage of local pharmacists and the lack of quality medicines - must also be addressed," he said.

This was the main message that emerged from a meeting between a PN delegation, led by PN Leader Alex Borg, and the Chamber of Pharmacists, as part of the series of meetings being held by the PN Leader in preparation for the upcoming budget to be presented on Monday.

During the meeting, the PN Leader, who was accompanied by Shadow Minister for Health Stephen Spiteri and Shadow Minister for Preventive and Primary Care Ian Vassallo, discussed with the Chamber a wide range of issues related to medicines and the improvements needed in this vital sector.

The President of the Chamber, Mary Ann Sant Fournier, outlined the challenges faced by pharmacists who are members of the Chamber, and stressed the need for stronger social dialogue in this area.

Members of the Chamber referred to the use of generic medicines, agreeing that where a generic medicine is found to be ineffective for a particular patient, an alternative and better-quality medicine should be provided immediately, a statement by the PN about the meeting read.

Other topics discussed included incentives to encourage more students to take up the pharmacy profession, the management of expired medicines and waste reduction in the POYC scheme, as well as pharmacy opening hours on Sundays and public holidays.

At the end of the meeting, the Chamber of Pharmacists presented the PN Leader with a document outlining its vision for the sector, together with its proposals for the 2026 Budget.