Shortages of epilepsy drug for children “artificially induced” by companies to hike price - Health Minister
Zurab Azarashvili, the Georgian Health Minister, on Friday commented on shortages of epilepsy drug for children. Photo: Health Ministry press office
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Zurab Azarashvili, the Georgian Health Minister, on Friday said the recent shortages of an epilepsy drug for children had been allegedly “artificially induced” by companies on the market with the aim of hiking the price on the product.
In his press comments, the official refrained from naming the companies due to an ongoing investigation into the matter, but stressed they had about 7,000 packages in stocks and refused to put them for sale to artificially cause increases in price.
The official said his body had “immediately reacted” to complaints by parents and medical professionals over the absence of medication at pharmacies over the past several days, checked databases of the companies and made a legal response to the situation.
Calling the incident “sad”, Azarashvili claimed his body would have a “proper response” to such cases, and pledged to take further steps to prevent such violations.
The Georgian Health Ministry on Monday presented the concept for a new venue of the Central University Clinic in Tbilisi - also known as the Republican Hospital - with the planned facility set to replace the major medical institution after its planned demolition.
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.
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, appointed to the post on December 27, has stated earlier today that the Georgian healthcare system is ‘fully mobilised and ready to face any challenges,’ if Omicron variant cases increase significantly.
A “modern, international-standard” state clinic will be built on the base of the Tbilisi-based Central University Clinic, also known as the Republican Hospital, the Government Administration announced on Monday.