Malta Reimburses Just 16% of Cancer Medicines, Patients Left Struggling

Only 16% of cancer medicines are reimbursed in Malta, a stark contrast to countries like Germany and Estonia, the European Cancer Organisation found. While Malta ranks among the best for survival rates in common cancers such as breast and prostate, patients face serious hurdles accessing essential treatments.

MEP Peter Agius explained that many patients must turn to private funding or charity, urging the government to include cancer medicines in the national formulary. He also noted that rarer cancers fare worse, with survival rates for some gynaecological cancers lagging by over 20% compared to larger EU states.

Reacting to the latest data, MEP Peter Agius said that ‘All too often, Maltese patients need to source private funding or recur to Community Chest fund under immense time pressures and stress. It’s high time we end this and include cancer medicines in the Government formulary list.’ 

In his intervention in the debate held by the European Parliament Health Committee, MEP Agius also highlighted how Malta has some of the best care levels for the frequently occurring cancer types but then suffers from lower survival rates for rarer cancers.

The Nationalist MEP called for stronger European collaboration, including greater use of European Reference Networks and cross-border healthcare.

Other MEPs and European Cancer Organisation representative Elizabetta Zanon warned that geography still dictates access to care, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed the need to fully implement the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan.