Following reports that health authorities are in “advanced discussions” with stakeholders for pharmacies to introduce a roster system to also start opening on Sunday afternoons, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry clarified that it had “not been approached on the matter in recent months.”

The statement from the Chamber was issued in response to Health Minister Chris Fearne saying on Sunday that, “we are in advanced discussions so that on Sundays pharmacies will not only open at noon in the morning but will start opening in the afternoon as well.”

The Chamber said that the last correspondence it had on the matter “dates back to February 2020 and consisted of a proposal made jointly with other stakeholders that provides for the enforcement of a roster for pharmacies to open on Sundays and Public Holidays, and for the service to be extended to a full day.”

No further communication on this proposal has been received since, the Chamber said.

The Chamber, on behalf of its Lead Professional Pharmacists Business Section, urged the relevant authorities to “consult with the stakeholders before proceeding with implementation to ensure that the public is better served and that there is a level playing field between all pharmacies.”

Photo: Malta Chamber of Commerce

Permalink: Sunday opening hours for pharmacies not discussed recently – Chamber of Commerce