The government is more determined and concerned to find plausible justifications rather than trying to solve the miserable situation which a lot of persons are facing as a result of a shortage of medicines. 692 products were listed as out of stock in a letter which was sent by the Health Department to the pharmacies participating in the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) scheme. I think the term out of stock is quite clear and it simply means that these medicines, which were available in the past, are now not available.Health Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Cassar is referring to this letter “as a guidance”. Guidance or not, this letter included medicines which are very important and include treatment for depression, high blood pressure and cholesterol. All these were available in the past and now they are not being offered. Patients who are entitled to free medicine are ending up having to purchase essential medicines from private pharmacies, thus spending money on products that they are entitled to for free from the POYC. This is another clear example of how the government is putting more burdens on consumers, at a time when we are paying among the highest prices for water, electricity, fuel and other daily needs in the European Union.
Utility tariffs
Another month has passed since my last contribution to this newspaper and still no action was taken by the government to reduce the electricity tariffs. People are still left in the dark towards what will happen to the tariffs and what is the real reason why the government is taking this long. Tariff revisions should be undertaken immediately and retroactively from 1st October 2008.
Illegal immigration
The cold month of February was a record month of illegal immigrants coming to Malta during the winter season, with 604 persons arriving in Malta (as at 20 February). This surely is a clear indication of what is about to happen next summer. We definitely need some real good aid from our fellow European countries in order to face this situation.
It was unbelievable how on the same day that the 227 people on board a boat which arrived in Malta were not even mentioned in parliament had it not been for Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, who asked for an urgent discussion in parliament about this matter. I totally agree with all those who are arguing that we should keep the human aspect in mind when tackling this situation; however we still do need to take action because this situation has become uncontrollable.
In light of these circumstances, the opposition’s critique – that government should have done a much better deal with the rest of the European Union with regard to the burden sharing – is becoming more justified.
Silvio Parnis MP
Labour spokesperson for consumer protection
silvio.parnis@gmail.com
Another month has passed since my last contribution to this newspaper and still no action was taken by the government to reduce the electricity tariffs. People are still left in the dark towards what will happen to the tariffs and what is the real reason why the government is taking this long. Tariff revisions should be undertaken immediately and retroactively from 1st October 2008.
Illegal immigration
The cold month of February was a record month of illegal immigrants coming to Malta during the winter season, with 604 persons arriving in Malta (as at 20 February). This surely is a clear indication of what is about to happen next summer. We definitely need some real good aid from our fellow European countries in order to face this situation.
It was unbelievable how on the same day that the 227 people on board a boat which arrived in Malta were not even mentioned in parliament had it not been for Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, who asked for an urgent discussion in parliament about this matter. I totally agree with all those who are arguing that we should keep the human aspect in mind when tackling this situation; however we still do need to take action because this situation has become uncontrollable.
In light of these circumstances, the opposition’s critique – that government should have done a much better deal with the rest of the European Union with regard to the burden sharing – is becoming more justified.
Silvio Parnis MP
Labour spokesperson for consumer protection
silvio.parnis@gmail.com
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