Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1489838
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 JANUARY 2023 4 NEWS Man accused of punching policeman who asked him to put his mask on at hospital MATTHEW AGIUS A man has appeared in court, after allegedly punching a police officer who told him to put on a face mask inside Mater Dei Hospital. 26 year-old Maverick Azzopardi from Marsaskala was arraigned by Inspector Eman Hayman be- fore magistrate Ian Farrugia this morning. The accused, said he was unem- ployed, gave the court his parents' address when the registrar asked where he lived. The court was told that Azzopardi was current- ly voluntarily residing at Mount Carmel Hospital, however. Inspector Hayman explained that the accused had punched a police officer in the face at the hospital on January 3, inflicting grievous injuries. A policeman stationed at Ma- ter Dei Hospital had seen the accused walking around without a mask and told him that it was against the rules, indicating a shop where the man could pur- chase one. An argument ensued and the accused had punched the officer in the face. Azzopardi was arrested on the spot, after putting up a fight. Azzopardi, who had previous- ly been accused of stabbing his friend in the face in 2015 and had been on bail since 2019, was charged with grievously injuring the police officer, damaging his uniform and threatening him, obstructing the officer in the dis- charge of his duties and breach- ing bail conditions. The court was told that the po- lice discovered that Azzopardi was already living at Mount Car- mel. His father, present in the court- room this morning, told the court that he was open to allowing the accused to reside with him. Azzopardi's defence lawyers, Franco Debono and Francesca Zarb, argued there was no fear of him tampering with evidence as the incident had been captured on the police officer's bodycam. Bail was denied. A 26 year-old man was denied bail after appearing in court for allegedly punching a police officer after being told to wear a face mask inside Mater Dei Hospital CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In most cases, an expected delivery date of between two and three weeks for new stock is indicated but for On- dansetron and seven other medicines the government is still "awaiting de- livery details". The eight medicines in short sup- ply with no expected delivery date include Prednisolone Sodium Phos- phate, a steroid used to treat con- ditions such as arthritis and cancer, Montelukast, used to prevent the symptoms of asthma, and Cyclizine, used to treat and prevent nausea caused by motion sickness or vertigo. However, in a sign of how acute the problem is, no source of supply is in- dicated for at least two other medi- cines. Codeine Phosphate, an opioid anal- gesic used to block pain, and emul- sifying ointment, used to moisturise very dry skin, are unavailable and the policy unit is "liaising with the clini- cal team", possibly to identify suita- ble alternatives. The 22 medicines currently out of stock include Clindamycin, an an- tibiotic, with a two-week delivery timeframe, and Salbutamol, used to treat asthma, with a three-week de- livery because of sourcing issues. On Monday night, Health Minister Chris Fearne said government was stepping in to directly source medi- cines from abroad when its local sup- pliers are unable to satisfy contractu- al obligations. He said that any additional cost the government forks out as a result of this direct procurement will be passed on to its domestic suppliers. Fearne said there was a global short- age of medicines, insisting countries such as Ireland and Italy were worse off than Malta. An increase in illnesses after pan- demic restrictions were lifted has pushed up demand for certain med- icines, with pharmaceutical compa- nies unable to ramp up production fast enough to satisfy the demand. Fearne said Malta has been stock- piling some medicines and any short- ages lasted for "a few days or a few weeks". The Nationalist Party said on Mon- day that the published list showed that the issue of out of stock medi- cines is "a serious problem". The PN said government is unable to say how it will solve the problem and in a majority of cases is blaming contractors for the lack of supply. The Opposition spokespersons called on government to also publish a separate list of medicines with low stock availability so that importers can help government source fresh supplies immediately. Medicines with no expected delivery date NO SOURCE OF SUPPLY Policy unit liaising with clinical team to source suitable alternatives Emulsifying ointment: A mixture of paraffin oils used to moisturise very dry skin such as in eczema or dermatitis. Codeine Phosphate: An opioid analgesic used to block pain. NO DELIVERY DETAILS YET Sourcing issue Prednisolone sodium phosphate: A strong steroid used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood problems, immune system disorders, skin and eye conditions, breath- ing problems, cancer, and severe allergies. Artificial saliva: Preparation to replace or supplement the natural production of saliva. Betamethasone Valerate: This medication is used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, allergies and rash. Phosphate enema BP: This medication may be used to relieve occasional constipation. NO DELIVERY DETAILS YET Contractor is late in delivery, alternative order placed by government Ferrous Sulphate: Medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia Montelukast: A medicine used to prevent the symptoms of asthma. Ondansetron: A medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. It is also effective for treating gastroenteritis. Cyclizine: A medication used to treat and prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to motion sickness or vertigo. This is only part of a list of 22 medicines available of the POYC scheme which were out of stock until 9 January 2023 Government stepping in to directly source medicines when local suppliers fail Health minister Chris Fearne has insisted that any additional cost the government forks out as a result of intervening to directly procure medicines will be passed on to its domestic suppliers