Bedrocan Back In Stock In Malta After A Month As Head Of Medicines Says Deficiency Is ‘Normal’
Bedrocan medical cannabis is back in stock in Malta after a shortage that lasted almost a full month and left patients without their medicine.
This is far from the first time the island has run out of medicine.
The latest failure follows deficiencies recorded in December, 2018 and August, 2020. One patient said they experienced even more regular deficiencies, saying that “more often than not, this is what we take when we try to get our medicine.”
Bedrocan’s supplier in Malta, Pharma.MT, told Lovin Malta that the breed has been back in stock in pharmacies since yesterday.
The regular shortage has raised serious questions about the reliability of Malta’s medical cannabis prescription, given that the medicine may not be available at any time. Medicinal deficiencies have serious consequences for patients who use the drug every day, and it is not always feasible to find another medication to replace it.
Speaking to Lovin Malta, the head of the Malta Medicines Authority Anthony Serracino Inglott said that these deficiencies were “normal”.
“Since it’s a natural product, it can easily run out of stock,” Serracino Inglott said.
“Deficiencies are normal when it comes to a natural product, either because of a bad batch or because the product doesn’t meet all the requirements,” he continued.
Serracino Inglott also suggested that in case of deficiencies, patients could make use of another type of medical cannabis that is currently available in Malta – the Pedanios breed.
Dr Andrew Agius, who specializes in treating pain and is a vocal advocate for the legalization of cannabis in Malta, said it could work as an option when the medicine was out of stock.
“Both strains have the same amount of THC in them, 22%. It is also recommended to change breeds from time to time, “he told Lovin Malta.
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