Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542182
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 DECEMBER 2025 OPINION Corinne Zaffarese Elbourne Regulatory affairs and quality unit Manager at Vivian Corporation Pharma reform must lead to real access for patients A proper reform of the European Union's legislation concerning the pharmaceuti- cal sector has been long overdue. In fact, the current legislation is over 20 years old, which explains why the pharma- ceutical sector has welcomed last week's announcement of a major agreement to update the legislation. As a result, this will strengthen competitiveness and innova- tion while keeping strict safety standards in place. For countries like Malta, where access to medicines remains a major challenge, the new legislation is a major milestone be- cause it streamlines procedures to speed up supply chains and help bring new med- icines to our market more quickly. Additionally, stronger incentives will encourage the creation of new products whereas the problem of medicine shortag- es will be tackled through better monitor- ing and coordination and clearer patent exemptions that support timely entry of generics. From a legislative perspective, the announced reform is truly ambitious. However, its success will also greatly de- pend on a committed approach by all stakeholders, namely policymakers, regu- lators and the industry at large to imple- ment the legislation in a uniform manner across all EU member states. For smaller countries like Malta, failure to do this will certainly lead to more neg- ative repercussions. Regular studies have constantly confirmed a huge disparity in access to new treatments across European countries where patients in larger member states tend to enjoy access to medicines months, and in some cases years, ahead of patients in the EU's periphery. These delays are often caused by frag- mented pricing systems, administrative bottlenecks, and commercially driven decisions where higher-volume markets tend to be prioritised. The huge gaps that exist are not only unfair. They also go against the EU's aspi- ration for more cohesion between mem- bers. Most importantly, these gaps might not always have been politically acknowl- edged, however, as healthcare profession- als, we know how deeply felt they are by patients. Having operated in the pharmaceutical sector for over 70 years, Vivian witnesses the effects of these disparities every day. And for those patients battling with more rare diseases and conditions, regulatory delays mean negative impacts on their dignity and a right to better quality of life. This long-overdue pledge for reform is a win for all patients struggling to access better medicines when they need them most. It is also a win for companies like ours, who for many years have been advo- cating for equitable access. Legislation will need to be implemented through a disciplined collaborative effort that acknowledges the fact that equitable access goes beyond ethical aspiration. This notion is perhaps best represented by PATH (Promoting Access to Treat- ments & Healthcare), an international think tank which seeks to propose prac- tical solutions to advance medical access across Europe. Globally, rare diseases and paediatric populations, for instance, continue to suf- fer from a lack of structural investment. This is where Europe must ensure that regulatory efficiency is not trumped by commercial viability. Similarly, smaller member states will be better served by ensuring more transparency, regulatory responsiveness and cross-border cooper- ation among national authorities. Another crucial aspect is ensuring a re- silient supply and availability of medicine. European patients remain vulnerable to disruptions beyond Europe's control. Therefore, while the EU's intentions may be clear enough, Europe needs to reclaim its lost strategic autonomy. Only a combined effort from private operators and national systems to ensure diversified production, improved fore- casting, and a more strategic approach to stock management can make this possible. Whether Europe can convert its legis- lative efforts into measurable improve- ments is yet to be seen. However, as for pharma companies like ours, our drive should go beyond compliance. We must deeply commit to the underlying princi- ples of this reform through continued in- vestment in quality systems, by maintain- ing rigorous compliance standards and by actively pushing the interests of patients in Malta, who deserve equal access to counterparts in Europe. The EU's pledge to reform pharmaceu- tical legislation is a positive start but as it legislates, it must embrace the true spirit of collective responsibility and commit- ment towards its citizens. Miriam Dalli Minister environment, energy and Grand Harbour regeneration A year of steady progress END-OF-YEAR reflections don't need grand claims. Sometimes the most impor- tant work is the kind that doesn't shout; work that strengthens systems and im- proves daily life. That is how I would de- scribe 2025—a year of practical progress, guided by a clear direction and an under- standing of what matters most to people. Our starting point has been simple. We want to build tomorrow's Malta through projects that people can already use today, by making consistent decisions that im- prove quality of life and protect the coun- try's long-term interests. One of the clearest examples of this ap- proach has been in the way we handled public land and open spaces. This year we took the decision to turn White Rocks, Manoel Island and Fort Campbell into national parks. These are large sites, all of which had long been associated with devel- opment potential. Instead, we chose to re- turn them to the public as open, accessible spaces. This is not to say that we reject economic value. Rather, we believe in redefining it. In a small country where land is limited, how we use this land has lasting consequences. Opening these areas as national parks re- flects a broader understanding that access to nature, open views, and shared spac- es are part of a strong society. A public consultation was launched so that people themselves can help shape how these parks will look and function. Beyond these major decisions, the work on open spaces continued at a very practi- cal level. A number of open-space projects were also completed this year. The number now stands at 67 completed projects in this legislature. These were local interventions designed to improve neighbourhoods. To make these spaces easier to discover and use, we launched the parksinmalta.mt web app, which brings together more than 200 open spaces in one place. It's a simple tool, but one that reflects our goal of making open spaces visible, accessible and genu- inely public. Another area where we focused on con- solidation rather than spectacle, was en- ergy. Energy security is not something most people have on their mind. That is, until something goes wrong. This is why a lot of the work done this year was about strengthening systems. Significant progress was registered on the second Malta-Sicily interconnector, a pro- ject that will improve the resilience of our electricity supply. A €185 million contract was signed for the manufacture and instal- lation of 100 kilometres of subsea cable. This kind of infrastructure rarely attracts attention, but it also plays a critical role in ensuring stability as demand grows and the energy mix changes. The transition toward renewable ener- gy continued. Three submissions were received for Malta's first floating offshore wind project, marking another important step. Alongside this, investment in dis- tribution and renewable energy schemes continued, allowing households and busi- nesses to play a more active role in the energy transition. Throughout the year, energy prices for families and businesses remained stable; something that should never be taken for granted in the current European context. But 2025 was also a significant year for regulation, particularly in the environ- mental field. A comprehensive reform of environmental permits was introduced in order to modernise the system. Higher standards help protect the envi- ronment and communities, while clearer rules create a fairer playing field for opera- tors. Our aim is not to stop economic activ- ity, but to ensure economic development takes place responsibly and with proper oversight. This kind of reform builds trust among residents and businesses, who want certainty and consistency. Water was another area where sustained investment delivered tangible results. Years of planning and infrastructural work are now translating into better outcomes. Malta now has the best tap water quality in its history, and this year we launched the Iftaħ U Ixrob initiative to encourage great- er confidence in tap water use. As part of this, families are being supported through a carbon filter scheme for those who want an additional option at home. This year, 60 kilometres of water net- works and 30 kilometres of sewage pipes were strengthened. Reverse osmosis capac- ity increased by almost 50%, while new wa- ter production and wastewater treatment capacity more than doubled in the North of Malta and in Gozo. New projects in the South-West and Gozo, with a combined investment exceeding €80 million, are fur- ther reinforcing the system. The work done this year continues to build on previous efforts and creates a stronger base for what lies ahead. 2025 did not solve all challenges but it continued to move things in the right direction; many times, that is exactly what a country needs. The work done this year continues to build on previous efforts and creates a stronger base for what lies ahead This long-overdue pledge for reform is a win for all patients struggling to access better medicines when they need them most