The PN said that cancer patients should receive the medicines they need through the public health service with dignity, rather than being forced to rely on charity, accusing government of delaying the inclusion of approved cancer medicines on the national formulary.

In a statement, the PN said cancer patients continued to be left dependent on charity because the Labour government had been "dragging its feet" for years and was failing to provide patients with the treatment they need.

The party expressed solidarity with cancer patients and their families, saying that at a time of fear, pain and uncertainty they were being forced to go through bureaucratic processes and wait for charitable assistance to access essential treatment, the statement said.

The PN said it had long insisted that all approved cancer medicines needed by patients should be included on the government formulary "without anyone having to go from one place to another pleading for them."

It said the situation involving patients with Multiple Myeloma confirmed concerns it had been raising for years.

"In a European country, with a public health system that is meant to safeguard human dignity, cancer medicine should not depend on whether a patient passes a means test or receives charitable assistance," the statement said.

While describing the work of the Malta Community Chest Fund as invaluable and saying it should continue to be supported and strengthened, the PN argued that charity should serve as an additional form of support rather than replacing the State's responsibility.

"Government cannot continue using the generosity of the Maltese and Gozitan people as a cover for its own failures," the statement said.

The PN described the situation as "a matter of justice, equality and dignity," saying it was unacceptable for one patient to receive treatment while another with an equally serious condition was asked to seek assistance outside the public health service.

It said this created inequality in cancer care, where patients with sufficient financial means could obtain treatment while others were forced to wait, apply and plead for help.

The party also said Prime Minister Robert Abela had promised that all cancer treatments would be provided free of charge and on time through the national health service but argued that patients and their families were still waiting.

"In an illness such as cancer, every day without treatment can make a difference," the statement said.

The PN called on the government to immediately establish a fast-track process for cancer medicines approved by the European Medicines Agency to be added to the national formulary, ensure cancer patients were no longer subjected to means-testing to receive essential treatment, and make the financing of cancer medicines a national priority in the health budget.

"Cancer is already cruel enough, and no one going through it should have to face further fear and uncertainty because of a system that is taking too long to provide them with a solution," the statement said.

The PN reiterated that cancer treatment should be accessible to everyone, on time and with dignity, insisting that "the time for promises is over" and that the government "must start delivering today, not tomorrow".

The statement was signed by the PN's Shadow Minister for Health Stephen Spiteri.