Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze says the cost of medication is not the determining factor in the government’s decision-making on treatment for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He stressed that while high expenses increase responsibility, the government has repeatedly shown that patient interests outweigh financial considerations.
According to Sarjveladze, this is evidenced by the scale of the Universal Healthcare Program and state funding for rare disease treatments. He noted that the evaluation process is complex and ongoing, with research sometimes raising new questions rather than providing quick answers. He added that recent decisions by foreign regulators, such as France’s rejection of one Duchenne medication, will also be studied closely.
Sarjveladze emphasized that the government has a long record of approving costly medical support when necessary, highlighting programs that fund treatment abroad for children with oncology diagnoses. He said these examples contradict claims that financial concerns drive healthcare decisions.
The minister reiterated his readiness to provide all new information and arguments to the public as assessments continue.
