The Chamber of Pharmacists has condemned the Health Authorities decision to legalise the use of Covid-19 self-testing kits by the public.

In a statement, the Chamber said that it “strongly objects” to this change in stance which, against the backdrop of a “significant present spike in Covid-19 cases in Malta, deregulates the testing and reporting process.”

It warned that this “allows for further spread of the disease among vulnerable patients, increasing risk of hospitalisation and mortality and exposing health care professionals to unnecessary risks.”

“It is of concern that ignorance of the number of positive cases in the community by the public health authorities would inevitably lead to decision making without real world data to base them on, and doubtful self regulation by the public,” said the Chamber.

The Chamber urged the Ministry for Health an the MFH and the Public Health authorities to “review and revise this decision in the best interest of health, especially the most vulnerable, and frontliners such as pharmacists, whilst taking those decisions which are of the least risk.”

The Chamber concluded by saying that it “sincerely hopes that the Minister for Health and Public Health authorities reconsider their position.”

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