Malta’s Medicines Act describes when a pharmacist may dispense an equivalent prescribed product. A different ingredient, dose, form or frequency needs checking with the prescriber.
| Situation | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Your prescribed brand is unavailable | Unless the prescription says “branded” or “®”, the Act allows the pharmacist to dispense the prescribed product or an equivalent with the same chemical entity, dose, dosage form and frequency. |
| The suggested product changes the ingredient, dose, form or frequency | That is outside the specific equivalent-product rule described in the Act. Ask the pharmacist whether the prescriber needs to authorize a change before you start it. |
| You want an option that does not need a prescription | Ask the pharmacist whether a non-prescription medicine is suitable for your situation. Tell them what else you take and about any allergies or intolerances. |
| You have a green prescription | Malta Medicines Authority guidance says green prescriptions for psychotropic or narcotic medicines are dispensed once and require a control card. There is a limited urgent-prescription route if the card is unavailable; ask the prescriber or pharmacist about the requirements. |
What do you mean by “alternative medicine”?
People use “alternative medicine” to mean different things: a generic equivalent to a prescribed brand, a different medicine for the same condition, a non-prescription medicine, or a herbal, homeopathic or supplement product. This article explains prescription substitution and non-prescription medicines; it does not assess complementary treatments or recommend a particular product.
Herbal products can be classified as medicines or as other product types, and homeopathic medicinal products are a distinct category. If you mean a herbal, homeopathic or supplement product, ask the pharmacist what category it falls into and whether it may interact with your medicines. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine because of advice on an unlicensed herbal product.
When can a pharmacist dispense an equivalent?
Under article 80(2) of Malta’s Medicines Act, unless the prescriber specifically asks for a particular brand by writing “branded” or “®” on the prescription, the pharmacist can dispense the prescribed medicine or an equivalent with the same chemical entity, dose, dosage form and dosage frequency. This is a specific rule for an equivalent product—not a general rule that any medicine for the same condition can replace it.
A generic may look different from the brand you know. The Malta Medicines Authority says generics contain the same active substance or substances, while some other ingredients may differ. If you have an allergy or intolerance, ask the pharmacist to check the ingredients and patient information leaflet.
What if your prescribed medicine is unavailable?
Ask whether the pharmacy has an equivalent that meets the Act’s conditions. Article 80(1) lists unavailability as a possible justified reason not to dispense; article 80(2) describes the equivalent-product option. Those provisions do not themselves establish a general authority to replace a prescription with a different treatment.
If the proposed option changes the active ingredient, dose, form or frequency—or the prescription specifies a brand—ask whether the prescriber needs to approve the change. Do not assume a product used for the same condition is an equivalent substitute.
Can a pharmacist suggest a non-prescription medicine?
You can ask the pharmacist about a non-prescription option, but that is different from substituting a prescribed medicine. The Act makes the pharmacist responsible for dispensing medicines that do not require a prescription. Whether a specific product is prescription-only depends on its classification in Malta.
Explain your symptoms, other medicines you take, and any allergies or intolerances. Check the product ingredients and leaflet, and ask the pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is suitable.
Foreign prescriptions: EU, UK and other countries
The Medicines Act says a pharmacist may dispense a prescription from an EU Member State if they can ascertain that the prescriber is licensed there. UK prescriptions are not recognised in Malta, according to UK government travel advice; visitors needing medication are advised to speak to a Maltese medical practitioner, who may assess them and issue a local prescription.
The official sources cited here do not establish a general recognition rule for prescriptions from other non-EU countries. If you have one, check with a Maltese pharmacist or medical practitioner before relying on it.
Green prescriptions and POYC
For prescriptions for psychotropic substances or narcotic drugs (green prescriptions), the Medicines Authority says the prescription cannot be repeated and is dispensed once; it must be accompanied by a control card. Its guidance describes a limited urgent route: if the card is unavailable, a medical practitioner may prescribe an urgent prescription for which a maximum one-week supply can be dispensed.
POYC guidance says a green prescription is valid for one month from its issue date and that controlled drugs are collected every 28 days through the scheme. It also says to notify your managing pharmacist immediately if your treatment changes; additional medicines must be endorsed by a medical consultant. These are POYC scheme instructions, not a rule for every private prescription.
What to ask at the pharmacy
Ask: “Is this the same chemical entity, dose, dosage form and frequency as my prescription?” If not, ask whether the prescriber needs to authorize the change. If your prescription specifies a brand, is from outside the EU, or is a green prescription, ask what requirements apply before you change or start treatment.
Questions people ask
Does a generic look exactly like the brand?
Not necessarily. The Malta Medicines Authority says generics contain the same active substance or substances, but may look different and may have different non-active ingredients. Ask about ingredients if you have an allergy or intolerance.
Can a pharmacist change my prescription to a medicine with a different active ingredient?
The Act’s equivalent-product rule specifies the same chemical entity, dose, dosage form and frequency. It does not itself establish a general route to switch a prescription to a different treatment. Ask whether the prescriber must authorize the change.
Can I use a UK prescription in Malta?
UK government travel advice says UK prescriptions are not recognised in Malta. It advises visitors who need medication to speak to a Maltese medical practitioner, who may assess them and issue a local prescription.
What do I need for a green prescription?
The Medicines Authority says green prescriptions for psychotropic or narcotic medicines are dispensed once and require a control card. It describes a limited urgent-prescription option if the card is unavailable. POYC says a green prescription is valid for one month; confirm the requirements with the pharmacist or prescriber.
What if my medicine is supplied through POYC?
POYC says to tell your managing pharmacist immediately if your treatment changes. It also says additional medicines must be endorsed by a medical consultant.
Does this article explain herbal, homeopathic or supplement products?
No. Those products can fall into different categories. Ask the pharmacist what category the product falls into and whether it may interact with your medicines.
Need a pharmacy today? Find one in Malta or Gozo. Confirm opening hours and product availability before travelling.
Sources
- Malta Medicines Act, Chapter 458
- Malta Medicines Authority, Generic Medicines: Questions and Answers
- Malta Medicines Authority, Non-prescription and prescription-only medicines
- Malta Medicines Authority, Herbal medicinal products
- Malta Medicines Authority, Homeopathic medicinal products
- Malta Medicines Authority, Herbal medicines
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Malta travel advice: Health
- Department of Health, Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC), General FAQs
General information, not individual medical advice. Confirm medicine classification and suitability with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.