Georgia will add more than 700 medicines to its reference pricing system, expanding regulation to 21 molecules and about 317 branded products, including widely used drugs for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, infections, and pain relief.
Industry representatives say pharmaceutical companies will be given two weeks to review the updated list and verify pricing data before it takes effect, a change they describe as an improvement over previous practice when prices were announced only after final approval.
Around 60% of the newly added medicines are among the most frequently purchased by consumers, according to sector estimates.
Irakli Margvelashvili, head of the Association of International Pharmaceutical Companies’ Representatives, said the consultation period allows companies to prepare and adjust, while noting that no major international manufacturer has left the Georgian market and no shortages have been recorded.
The reference pricing system currently covers around 8,000 medicines, or roughly 60% of the market. Authorities and industry players say the reform aims to reduce out-of-pocket spending, which accounts for about 40% of healthcare costs, with expected average savings for consumers of 30–40%, depending on the product.
