Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that through an annual expenditure of €155,000, around 1,600 people will begin benefiting from the free provision of the EpiPen, for patients with serious allergy problems, a government statement said.
Abela said that the EpiPen is a crucial medicine containing epinephrine, explaining that this medicine is used by children and adults who may experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, caused by food, medication, insect stings, among others, and in certain cases, anaphylaxis can lead to death.
Abela said that it is a medication that is very expensive but necessary, to the extent that some people need to carry one with them wherever they go.
He said that through this medical device, people who experience a severe allergic reaction will be able to respond to it with a measure that strengthens safety and access to care.
“This is another important step, a revolutionary one, which shows how seriously government takes the quality of life and the life of every individual in our society,” Abela said.
He added that government is committed to continuing to introduce medicines into the government formulary for the benefit of Maltese and Gozitan patients.