https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2552 2026-10-28T01:08:43Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150386 Title: Navigating ethical challenges faced by professionals within the pharmaceutical industry in Malta Abstract: Objective The pharmaceutical industry operates at the intersection of medical innovation and commercial profit, creating a dual mission that poses significant ethical challenges. Apart from identifying the practices within the local pharmaceutical sector that cause most concern, this dissertation investigates the ethical orientation, recognition of ethical breaches, and levels of moral distress among pharmaceutical professionals in Malta and which factors bear most impact on the traits under investigation. Method Utilizing a quantitative research design, an anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to members of the Association of Medical Representatives (AMR), the central organization for medical representatives in Malta. The research employed the Ethics Position Questionnaire-5 (EPQ-5) to assess ethical orientation, vignette-based scenarios to measure recognition and tolerance of misconduct, and a scale composed of industry-specific items to evaluate moral distress. Key Findings Based on a response rate of 42.1%, findings indicate that marketing practices (70.3%) are perceived as the primary source of ethical concern. The local workforce is predominantly principled, with 39.1% classifying as Absolutists and 29.7% as Situationists, reflecting a collective priority on patient safety and harm avoidance. Ethics training appears to contribute significantly to ethical recognition, significantly improving a professional’s ability to identify misconduct such as misleading claims or the withholding of safety information. Notably, Maltese nationality was the strongest predictor of high moral distress, while pharmacists reported significantly higher distress than non-pharmacists, particularly regarding safety information and unethical incentives. Furthermore, a clear shift in ideology was observed with tenure, moving from Subjectivism at entry-level to Absolutism among more experienced professionals. Conclusion The study concludes that while the Maltese pharmaceutical workforce is fundamentally principled, individuals face significant distress when commercial pressures conflict with professional integrity. Description: M.A. Bus. Ethics(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150385 Title: Guardianships and older adults from the perspective of dignity Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, classified under major neurocognitive disorder. According to Alzheimer Europe’s 2025 report, an estimated 9,476 people in Malta are living with dementia, and this number is expected to double by 2050. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience severe cognitive decline, affecting their ability to carry out daily tasks and make important healthcare decisions. In such cases, guardianship may be introduced to support decision-making. Guardianship refers to the legal relationship between a guardian and a person unable to manage their own affairs due to mental or physical incapacity. Despite its protective role, guardianship may threaten the dignity and autonomy of older adults when applied in a paternalistic manner within Maltese healthcare settings. This creates an ethical dilemma: balancing the protection of vulnerable individuals with respect for their autonomy and dignity. This dissertation critically examines Maltese guardianship law and explores how it may either support or undermine the dignity and autonomy of older adults under guardianship. The study addresses two main questions: Do guardianships in Malta adequately protect the dignity and autonomy of older adults in practice? If not, how can guardianship be reformed to better safeguard both? The study adopts a bibliographic approach using secondary sources, including peer reviewed articles, books, policy documents, medical society publications, and legal texts. Some anecdotal experiences observed by the researcher are also included. The dissertation is divided into three chapters: the first examines Maltese guardianship law and its ethical implications; the second explores the philosophical concepts of dignity and autonomy; and the third proposes recommendations for reform. Ultimately, this research aims to promote ethical discussion surrounding guardianship and raise awareness of the challenges it presents, while offering recommendations to better protect the human rights, dignity, and autonomy of older adults in healthcare decision-making. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146751 Title: A dispute on parish territorial limits in late 18th century Malta Abstract: The parish of Naxxar is one of the earliest to be established in the Maltese countryside, and although the exact date is not known, it is estimated to be sometime around the year 1400. In his Rollo of 1436, Bishop Senatore de Mello, included Naxxar as one of the ten existing parishes at that time. Out of these ten, two would eventually be dissolved. At some stage prior to 1436, the parish of Mellieħa may have emerged from the Naxxar parish, thus making Naxxar the first matrice, after the Cathedral Church. However, in the Appostolic Visitation of 1575, Mgr Dusina, dissolved the parish of Mellieħa, remarking that the region of Mellieħa was uninhabited, because the residents, for fear of pirate incursions, had moved inland to other inhabited areas for greater safety. Its territory was then returned or ceded to the Naxxar parish, the closest one of the eight remaining parishes di prima erezione. Thus, it now enjoyed an extensive territory covering the northern and north-western parts of Malta. In this territory one could find several hamlets, together with the villages of Mosta and Għargħur. There were thirty-six rural churches scattered all over this territory. Two of these, the Assumption in Mosta and St Bartholomew in Għargħur, appeared to be situated in the centres of habitation of the two villages and were therefore of greater importance to the inhabitants. They would eventually become the parish churches of their respective villages. The Apostolic Visitation report does not mention any population statistics in connection with this territory but only states that there were 116 houses in Mosta and 80 in Għargħur. This already implies that the two casali were the two main settlements in the territory apart from Naxxar itself. The residents of Għargħur complained to Mgr Dusina regarding their difficulties to access religious services in the parish church at Naxxar. There being only two priests, their visits to the two villages were few and far separated. This was confirmed by the parish priest of Naxxar, Don Giuliano Borg himself, saying that he was frequently away from the village. These complaints provide the first indications of pressures that led to the future partition. [...] Description: Dip.(Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146749 Title: The Marian cult through its chapels in Ħal Qormi Abstract: The intent of this essay is to present a short historical overview of the town of Ħal Qormi that reveals through its historic context a deeply rooted Marian cult that has striven faithfully and ardently through the ages, reflecting the spiritual devotion that emerged from its community. It also treats briefly an insight of the present situation of various chapels dedicated to Our Lady that clustered in the same territory; some were eventually closed since proved inadequate for worship. The origins of Ħal Qormi are obscure. Its chronological history unfolds its earliest tangible mention in archival records excerpted from and known as the Militia List documented in 1419 wherein the town is called Casal Curmi. Subsequently over the passage of time Casal Curmi was dialectically altered to the current town name of Ħal Qormi. In 1436, Bishop Senatore de Mello de Noto ordered the compilation of an inventory known as Quaternulus pro concordia taxarum and this provides the earliest mention of Ħal Qormi as a parish. In 1456, the medieval parish church dedicated to St George was enlarged or a larger church was built under the chaplaincy of Don Giglio Lombardo. There were two older churches dedicated to St Michael and the Annunciation which were interconnected and the newly built structure might have abutted them or the surrounding cemetery. In 1584 plans for a new church commenced8 and the structure was completed in 1684. This edifice still stands today and serves as the present parish church for liturgical worship currently known as the Collegiate Church of St George. As early as 1502 we find mention of a Confraternity of St Mary, which after some time was no longer active. This testifies the emergence of Marian devotion in the locality. Another tangible proof of the antiquity of Marian devotion is found in the earliest painting possessed by the parish; this depicts the Pieta’ and it formed part of a triptych. The central panel, which still exists, depicts the Virgin of Sorrows which characterizes the heartfelt devotion towards Our Lady in her suffering showed by the people of the town. This triptych which formed part of a retable that was later dismembered, is believed to have been the titular painting of the medieval Cappella, which served as the parish church. Although the central panel depicted Our Lady of Sorrows, this did not imply that the church was dedicated to her. It was the norm in those days to represent Our Lady in the centre whilst bearing the titular saint, in this case St George, on one of the side panels. In 1575 Mgr. Pietro Dusina on his apostolic visit in Casal Curmi provides an insight on the village social aspect and asserts that 22 churches were extant two of which were dedicated to the Annunciation and six were dedicated to the Assumption. The report refers to the Annunciation church adjacent to the old church; later on the structure was demolished and its site integrated with the new church. The other chapel also dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin is the smallest chapel in Ħal Qormi that has been rebuilt. Two chapels dedicated to the Assumption are still extant, known as Tal-Blat and Tal-Qreċja; both have been rebuilt, and the latter has been desecrated. The chapel of the Nativity of the Mary was once dedicated to the Assumption; moreover, another chapel dedicated to the Assumption which stood in the vicinity of the Nativity chapel was subsequently closed. The report lists another Assumption chapel which stood near the parish priest’s residence, whilst another chapel, also dedicated to the Assumption, was situated near the old church; its ashlars were later utilized to construct the new parish church. The report reveals six chapels existed in the rural area including three chapels dedicated to Our Lady known locally as Santa Marija Tal-Ħlas, Santa Marija ta’ Ċeppuna and Santa Marija ta’ L-Imrieħel; 20the latter no longer exists. Thereafter, following the foundation of daughter parishes from the matrix of Ħal Qormi, two chapels, Ta’ Ċeppuna and Tas-Samra or Ta’ Atochia, both dedicated to the Assumption, fell within the boundaries of new parishes, namely Marsa (Holy Trinity) and Ħamrun (St Cajetan) respectively. Another chapel, built late in the 16th century, was also dedicated to Assumption and it was known as Ta’ Staino; it was situated in the parish cemetery and was closed down some time later. Although a number of chapels have perished, the medieval period reveals a high evidence of Marian cult as three genres of devotion are discernible. These chapels merited to be mentioned as they were a testimony of the devotion to Our Lady which has not abated during the centuries. They provide evidence that sheds light on the past community who held with such esteem the veneration of Our Lady. Their humble state, bare and lacking from necessities and embellishment has been documented in Mgr Dusina’s. Also the flourishment of Marian Cult in Ħal Qormi aids us also to comprehend how the community has adopted other forms of Marian veneration not only in the precincts of the town core. This asserts the formation of devotion in a tangible manner that elevates the faithful notwithstanding the turmoil and upheaval they had to endure. The five Marian chapels that have prevailed and endured crucial and sometimes precarious times will be discussed in this essay: the Marian shrines of Tal-Ħlas, Tal-Blat, and Tal-Qreċja, all dedicated to the Assumption, the Chapel of the Nativity of Mary known as Tal-Vitorja, and the chapel of Annunciation. Description: Dip.(Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z