1,600 people will benefit from the use of free Epi-pen

Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela announced that with an investment of €155,000 per year, around 1,600 people will begin to benefit from the use of free EpiPens for patients with serious allergy problems. Minister Abela said that Epi-Pen is a crucial medicine that contains epinephrine. It was stated 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. A medicine that is very expensive but necessary, so much so that some people have to carry one with them wherever they go. The minister explained that through this medical equipment, people who experience a severe allergic reaction will be able to respond to it with a measure that will strengthen 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 lives 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: MHA