Beneficiaries with spinal muscular atrophy in Georgia to be provided with medications free of charge

All patients with spinal muscular atrophy in Georgia will be provided with expensive medicines free of charge under a state initiative announced by the National Health Agency on Monday. 

The state body called the initiative an “unprecedented project”, saying financial access to high-quality health care was growing with the state fully funding the one-year dose of a specific medicine.

Produced by a well-known Western company, the medicine purchased by the state was effective and of high quality, the Agency said and noted it was vital for patients with spinal muscular atrophy. 

The use of this drug helps to improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Unlike its other analogues, this drug can be used at home,” the Agency added. 

The beneficiaries can receive the medicine free of charge at the pharmacies by presenting their ID cards following the registration at the Agency.

Medical treatment of the condition had been previously unavailable to most patients in Georgia due to the high cost of the medication, the Agency said.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disease which leads to progressive muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and progressive loss of motor skills.