Patients and their consultants are concerned about a rushed switch from the current to new HIV treatment, following a shortage of medicine stocks in Malta in recent days.
Last week, the shortage forced some HIV patients to rely on the kindness of others who could spare some of their own medicine.
Manufacturers have been phasing out the kind of medication that has been provided by the government to HIV patients for years,
Times of Malta has been told.
On Sunday, the Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement was told that last week’s shortage was the result of the “situation created by Brexit and unexpected delays in a London airport”. Stocks of the medicine are expected to arrive this week while enough stock has been secured to treat those who currently have no medication at all, it said.
The Malta Gay Rights’ Movement has warned about a severe shortage of HIV medication in the country and urged anyone affected to get in touch.
A spokesperson for the NGO said that the situation is “out of control” and that it will have severe repercussions on public health.
In a one-line statement, the health ministry admitted it was still waiting for the full order of the drug to arrive later this month but said patients were meanwhile being supplied with enough supply to meet their demands .
MGRM spokesperson Joe Grima said the organisation had first started receiving reports that HIV medication was unavailable on December 9.