Georgian Prime Minister declares that over 200 most demanded medicines are available at 70% lower price after the opening of Turkish pharmaceutical market for Georgia. Gharibashvili thinks that the opening of the Turkish market and the system of electronic prescriptions will radically improve the situation on the market.
Irakli Margvelashvili, executive director of the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies agrees Gharibashvili's optimism about the price reduction, but declares that at this stage it is necessary to focus on the quality and another problem is the lack of quantity.
"The problem is that Turkish medicines meet only a small part of the demand in Georgia. The process has a positive effect on a number of medicines in terms of prices. Now, we are waiting for the steps that will lead to more quality control. As soon as we simplify the procedures, in this case we have to consider the risks that accompany this process. We do not really see how quality control is done; what mechanism is used.
We also think that the main goal besides accessibility is to reduce consumption. We must reduce irrational consumption. In this regard, the introduction of an electronic recipe is positive, where there are technical shortcomings, but work is underway and will hopefully be corrected.
We should not just use the good system of the neighboring country, we should change our system. Systemic change is important to maintain the interest of international companies," Margvelashvili said.
“There are currently 32 medicines of Turkish origin available on the PSP pharmacy network. The company says another 27 medicines will be added in the near future, with increasing quantities.
Company PSP declares that 32 Turkish medicines are available in their drugstore chain at this stage, they note that 27 medicines will be added for the near future.
As for the demand, Natia Khabeishvili, head of the public relations department at the PSP declares that there is no special demand for medicines of Turkish origin.
“Due to the fact that we have focused on importing the cheaper medicines compared to European ones, we are constantly working with suppliers to enable Georgian customers to offer the price, which is close to the cost that is in Turkey.
Turkish medicines are about 77% cheaper in our country compared to their European analogs," said Natia Khabeishvili, head of PSP's public relations department.
