Minister for Health Jo Etienne Abela said that through an investment of €155,000 per year, around 1,600 people will start benefiting from the use of free Epi-pen for patients with serious allergy problems.

Abela said that Epi-Pen is a crucial medicine that contains epinephrine. He explained that this medicine is used by children to adults who may experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, caused by food, medicine or insect stings among others and in some cases, anaphylaxis can cause death.

He added that this is a medication that is very expensive but necessary, so much so that some people have to carry one with them wherever they go.

Abela 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, indeed revolutionary, step that demonstrates how seriously the Government takes the quality of life and the life of every individual in our society. Therefore, the Government is committed to continuing to introduce medicines into the government formulary for the benefit of Maltese and Gozitan patients,” concluded Dr Abela.

Photo: DOI

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