Maltese Association of Dermatology & Venereology (MADV) & Malta Association of Public Health Medicine (MAPHM)
Our associations wish to jointly express their deep concern regarding the protracted recurrent local shortage of medication to treat scabies infections. Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by tiny mites that can spread through direct prolonged skin-to-skin contact with infected people, or by sharing personal items, like clothing or bedding, with someone who has scabies. Symptoms include a rash and intense itching. Treatment involves medication that can be applied to the skin or taken by mouth, and it’s important to treat both the infected person and close contacts to prevent further spread.
It is regrettable that in recent times local medical practitioners at the frontline in combatting outbreaks of this highly distressing infection have faced recurrent shortages of anti-scabies medication. We have consulted with colleagues in other EU countries and they do not face these kinds of problems. We hence urge local government medical authorities involved in pharmaceutical regulation and procurement to step up their efforts in ensuring adequate local supplies of all scabies medications, at all times. It is the responsibility of government health authorities to provide adequate resources to protect the public’s health.