On Sunday, Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said that general practitioners in the nation would be able to only prescribe generic drugs to their patients, without specifying a brand of the drug, starting April, according to Agenda, Georgia.
Azarashvili told Imedi TV channel that the decision aims to provide citizens with freedom of choice in medications. He also said that it was part of an effort to create a “well-regulated and transparent pharmaceutical market” in Georgia.
He also said that the Ministry will not allow prescribing “biased or excessive amounts” of drugs, adding that they have developed an action plan for the purpose.
The news about prescribing generic drugs comes after Georgia’s import of medicines from Turkish-based producers. This has resulted in a reduction of prices for the most commonly used medicines.
Since March 1, a system of digital prescriptions has also been operating, with Azarashvili noting that it would facilitate a “better regulation” of the industry.
Las Week, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced that general prices for medicines on the local market had been reduced by 60% to 80% following the import of medications from Turkey.
He added that medicines for cardiovascular disease had decreased from 220 GEL (about $68) to 48 GEL (about $14).
Garibashvili is ensuring a reduction of prices of prescription drugs for citizens at the end of last year.
He also referred to the considerable difference between the prices of the drugs produced using good manufacturing practices in Georgia and Turkey.
Last week, Azarashvili and his Turkish counterpart Fahrettin Koca agreed on an “even closer” cooperation between the nations in the field of medical services and pharmaceuticals.
Azarashvili paid an official visit to Turkey and discussed healthcare projects and prospects of further development of cooperation with Koca. They discussed the import of high-quality generic medicines from Turkey to Georgia. The story appeared on Agenda, a Georgian news outlet.
