Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1475004
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 NEWS Letter of Intention Ƭ Ǥǡ ʹ͵ ǡͳͻͻͲȋͳͻͻͲȌǤ ǣ ͳȌ ʹȌǡǡ ͵Ȍ ͶȌ ͷȌ Ȍ ʹǡǡǦIskuna, St. Paul's Bay Ǥ ǣͳͲʹͻ͵ €8,000 cancer drug price down 77% after ministry alert MATTHEW VELLA A market intervention from the ministry for consumer protec- tion has revealed that a cancer drug retailed in a phial, was be- ing sold for almost eight times its retail value at around €8,000. The intervention was warrant- ed by a market alert that came the way of the ministry from the Malta Community Chest Fund, which regularly finances costly cancer medication for patients who seek out its help. The ministry for inclusion, voluntary organisations and consumer rights launched a market inspection through the Malta Competition and Con- sumer Affairs Authority (MC- CAA) to investigate the price of the cancer medication. In around eight EU member states, the phial was retailing at between €1,200 and €1,700. The authority even contacted the cancer drug's manufactur- er, to inquire about the price being retailed. Minister Julia Farrugia-Portel- li confirmed with MaltaToday that MCCAA questioned the importer, in a bid to clarify rea- soning behind this exorbitant price. "It is unacceptable that such an abusive price was being charged. The price of what was an €8,000 phial was then knocked down to €1,800 after discussions between our market experts and the importer – that mark-up was simply galling. Through dialogue, Community Chest Fund could proceed with the procurement of the medi- cine for the patients concerned at the regular price." Farrugia-Portelli said her ministry will stay vigilant on matters that concern consumer protection in drug prices. "We cannot dictate what the private sector can charge on the mar- ket, but there must also be a so- cial conscience on pricing mat- ters. Our intervention in such cases matter – we are keeping an eye on such sectors espe- cially during these trying times where price inflation can hurt." American University gives Maltese free admission to bolster dwindling population MATTHEW VELLA THE American University of Malta, a private institution granted prime public land in Bormla's Dock No. 1, is about to bolster its dwindling student population by offering Maltese applicants free education. Constrained by contractual requirements to reach a size- able population to retain its siting, AUM – owned by Jor- danian construction company Sadeen – has announced Mal- tese nationals will pay no tui- tion fees when studying at the American University of Malta. "Following discussions made by the board of trustees of the American University of Mal- ta and proposals made by the management, it was agreed that Maltese nationals who wish to study at the AUM shall not be subject to pay any tuition fees." The only fees that remain for Maltese nationals are the regis- tration and admission fees. "This decision comes in line with the University's commit- ment and vision toward the Maltese community, to be a high-quality educational insti- tution, and a viable option for Maltese nationals to study at the University. "This means that Maltese na- tionals will be able to enrol in courses offered by the Ameri- can University of Malta at a sig- nificantly reduced price than any other foreign student." Fees for Maltese and EU na- tionals can be as much as €1,500 per term for undergrad- uate programmes. According to the contro- versial 2015 agreement wth Sadeen, the government had promised to help AUM reach full capacity if it struggled with student enrolment by selecting students itself to enrol in the University. "If there is a short- fall in the full intake of more than 5% for a period of three academic years the government shall be entitled to designate a number of students to make up such full intake for each year that full intake is not reached," an addendum reads. Sadeen has not yet been able to meet the conditions imposed in the original 2015 contract with the government, which requires AUM to complete a €104 million investment by April 2024, and has only man- aged to enrol less than 200 of the 10,000 students it promised to attract. AUM had to increase its stu- dent intake to 350 by 2018, 710 by 2019 and 1,220 by Septem- ber 2020, with 4,600 students enrolled by its tenth year of op- erations. AUM had less than 200 stu- dents on the books by 2022, and less than 30 members on its academic staff. In a statement AUM claimed it had been engaging with the community on a regional lev- el and the national level. "We have heard several comments, concerns, and feedback about the current university opera- tions. Although we are a pri- vate institution, we remain committed towards our service to the community at large," AUM President Dr. Michel Najjar said. "At AUM we feel proud and privileged to serve from Mal- ta, the island where beauty, splendour, history and culture combine to generate a won- derful learning environment. We look forward to welcoming more Maltese nationals and be part of the experience provided by the American University of Malta. We strive to give all of our students a special platform to develop their minds, their hearts and their souls." Sadeen has not yet been able to meet the conditions imposed in the original 2015 contract with the government, which requires AUM to complete a €104 million investment by April 2024, and has only managed to enrol less than 200 of the 10,000 students it promised to attract. AUM had to reach thousands of enrolments within fifth year of operation. Now it is waiving close to €4,500 in tuition fees for Maltese students