Doctors to only prescribe generic drugs starting April
The news regarding generic drugs comes after the country’s import of medicines from Turkish-based producers, which has resulted in a reduction of prices for the most in-demand medicines. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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General paediatricians in Georgia will be able to only prescribe generic medications to their patients, without specifying a brand of the drug, starting next month, Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said on Sunday.
In an interview with Imedi TV channel, Azarashvili said the decision aimed to provide citizens with freedom of choice in medications, and was part of an effort to create a “well-regulated and transparent pharmaceutical market” in the country.
He also highlighted the importance of not prescribing “biased or excessive amounts” of drugs, saying the Ministry had developed an action plan for the purpose.
The news regarding generic drugs comes after the country’s import of medicines from Turkish-based producers, which has resulted in a reduction of prices for the most in-demand medicines. A system of digital prescriptions has also been operating since March 1, with Azarashvili noting it would facilitate a “better regulation” of the market.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced last week general prices for medicines on the Georgian local market had been reduced by 60-80 percent following the import of medications from Turkey, adding products such as cardiovascular medications had decreased from 220 GEL (about $68/€61) to 48 GEL (about $14/€13).
Garibashvili announced the initiative of his team to ensure a reduction of general prices of pharmaceuticals for citizens at the end of last year, citing the considerable gap between the cost of the drugs produced using good manufacturing practices on the Turkish market and in Georgia.
Import of medications from the Turkish market has “significantly” decreased the prices of “dozens” of medical products in Georgia, Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said on Saturday.
Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili and his Turkish counterpart Fahrettin Koca have agreed on an “even closer” cooperation between the countries in the field of medical services and pharmaceuticals, the Georgian Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.
General prices for medicines on the Georgian local market have been reduced by 60-80 percent following the import of medications from Turkey, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said earlier today.
The government’s initiative of ensuring importation of pharmacy drugs from Turkey to effect a general reduction of medicine prices in Georgia is set to commence in the coming weeks, with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also revealing additional means to strengthen competition on the market.
About 200 types of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-standard drugs, imported from Turkey, will be available on the Georgian market in about a month, Deputy Health Minister Ilia Gudushauri said on Monday.
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The prices of about 200 of the most sought-after medicinal drugs on the local market have decreased by 60-70 percent since the launch of the Government initiative to import medications from Turkey, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday.
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