Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar announced yesterday night that government has decided to provide Herceptin, the hefty treatment for breast cancer, for free.
Speaking on TVM programme Reporter, Dr Cassar said the “decision was taken” so that women in need of treatment would get it for free from the public health service.
Although Dr Cassar would not give a specific date from when the treatment will be available from the public health service, the news is expected to alleviate the hardships of breast cancer victims who would have to pay up to €54,000 a year for a full course.
In the same programme, Dr Cassar admitted the biggest problems facing the public health service were overcrowding at Mater Dei, the long waiting lists, long waiting times at emergency and the lacking primary healthcare.
About the vaccinations for cervical cancer, which are also not included on the free drugs on the public health service, Dr Cassar said there was no EU study as yet confirming their cost effectiveness.