Government introduces tougher drug laws

Pharmacies across the country have been busier than normal as people rush to stock up on medicines before new rules restricting the sale of thousands of medicines is enforced in Georgia.

From today, a selection of medicines will be regulated and only available with a prescription from a doctor.

For the first time in Georgia, more than 6,000 types of medicines, including antibiotics, medicines used for cardio-vascular diseases, as well as hormonal, endocrine and oncology products, will no longer be sold over the counter without a prescription.

The amendment to the Drugs and Pharmaceutical Activities Law comes into effect today, September 1.

The Ministry of Health said the reason behind the law change was to reduce the current high use of easily accessed prescription drugs for self-treatment and to reduce the cases where people are addicted to pharmacy medicines. The new rules will help regulate Group II pharmaceutical products with the aim of reducing inappropriate use of such products and preventing illegal drug abuse.

The changes mainly affect Group II medicines. From today, people must present a prescription if they want to access 6,209 types of such medications.

Meanwhile more than 3,000 types of medicines remain available from pharmacies without a prescription. These include common medicines used for healing stomach ulcers, vitamins and minerals, general fever medications, anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines to treat the common cold and cough.

On a side note, the Ministry of Health is conducting a pilot program to determine the viability of establishing a prescription institute in Georgia. About 120 medical and pharmaceutical establishments in Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia are involved in the program.