It is ironic that legislation intended to eliminate discrimination and promote equality should itself discriminate against healthcare professionals, the Chamber of Pharmacists said Wednesday, hours before Parliament will take a vote on the said issue.

Bill 3, to establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality, as drafted and amended, undermines the long-established right of pharmacists to practise according to science and conscience, the chamber said. For generations, pharmacists have taken an oath to uphold these principles, which are also reflected in the Code of Ethics of the Pharmacy Profession, including the right to conscientious objection.

Pharmacists do not discriminate against patients. They have a professional and ethical duty to provide care to all. At the same time, they have a constitutional right to freedom of thought and conscience; and by the United Nations Charter Of Human Rights. Moreover, there are several Charters and Conventions of the Council of Europe which uphold these principles. Indeed, the PACE resolution recommends that Member States, including Malta should legislate to guarantee conscientious objection.

The chamber therefore reiterated its concerns about Bill 3 and calls on the government to ensure that legislation introduced to prevent discrimination does not itself discriminate by paying lip service to robust stakeholder consultation and in turn, removing the fundamental rights of healthcare professionals.