The information below, provided by Mr Walter Busuttil (Chief Medical Officer), is relevant to all members with particular emphasis on those members who work in private practice:
“Rivaroxaban is going to be available to entitled people through Schedule V. The patients who are on warfarin and attend POC testing at ACC in primary care will be changed to rivaroxaban according to a protocol by primary care doctors. Not all patients on warfarin can be switched to rivaroxaban since this depends on their conditions and this is why a guideline and protocol has been prepared. The patients who are currently buying rivaroxaban and are entitled to it will need to be referred to MCC (medical consultant clinic) for review and Schedule V will be updated or started for this medication. It is assumed that some patients will have their Schedule V updated by consultants at MDH.”
Dr Ray Sammut, Clinical Chairperson of the Primary Health Care Department, informs that Family Doctors in private practice can also refer such patients to the:
1. GP Appointment Clinics in the Community Clinics (tel 21231231 or 21222444 for an appointment) or to the
2. GP walk-in clinics in the health centres.
It is important that such patients are given an appropriate note/referral from the private Family Doctor detailing the patient’s medical history so that the process proceeds as seamlessly as possible.
The Protocol provided by Prof Alex Gatt is attached. It is being re-visited to include the fact that General Practitioners in the public primary health care also have Schedule V rights – Changeover from Warfarin to Rivaroxaban in Atrial Fibrillation
Dr Jason Bonnici MD FMCFD Dipl. Fam. Pract. (MCFD)
Honorary Secretary
Malta College of Family Doctors
E: secretary@mcfd.org.mt
A: The Professional Centre, Triq tas-Sliema, Gżira. GŻR 1633
W: mcfd.org.mt