Drug Supplies Run Out in Georgia

The Russian embargo has affected the drug supply in Georgia.  Although the deficiency is not yet critical, some drugs have begun to disappear from pharmacies.  According to pharmacists, if European drug companies do not begin supplying medicines to replace Russian ones, there will soon be a critical shortage.  There is already a shortage in the number of rabies vaccines.

Medical supplies, such as bandages, cotton, gloves, and catheters, were imported primarily from Russia.  An opposition member in Parliament, Davit Saganelidze, who is also a surgeon and oncologist, spoke about the drug shortage.  "The falling-out between Georgia and Russia has affected imports and exports.  [Fortunately,] Most of the medical supplies in Georgia came from Russia, while drugs came from Europe.  Russian drugs only represent a quarter of the pharmaceutical market in Georgia."

Although it is possible to replace Russian medicines with European ones, it will take a long time.  Furthermore, it will be expensive.  “The market can adapt to anything when there is demand.  The question remains, how will prices change, and how long will it take to meet this demand?  We should also consider that drugs from Russia are often delivered to Georgia on credit, and that it will take time before a similar relationship is forged with European drug companies.  Drug prices will probably increase because Russian drugs were very inexpensive," said Sagamelidze.

Another problem is bad drugs.  The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health Care, Gogita Gegelashvili, spoke about three types of pharmaceutical fraud.  "The whole world fights drug forgery… It mostly occurs in countries where the rule of law is weak.  Developed countries regulate their drug supplies. We mean several things when we talk of bad drugs.  The drug could be genuine and not even expired, but if it is packaged for another country, then we say it has been forged.  There are also drugs that have not been manufactured with the correct ingredients.  Finally, there are drugs that have been made with contaminated manufacturing processes… All three are types of pharmaceutical fraud that this legislation is intended to stop. Every country, including Georgia, has these problems."
 
In regards to a possible drug shortage, Gegelashvili said that Georgia will not experience this problem.  He argued that Russian drugs only occupied four percent of the Georgian pharmaceutical market. "Russian control over the Georgian pharmaceutical market has gradually been reduced.  The reason is that Russian companies have been replaced by European ones.  Doctors now prescribe their patients European medicines.  However there are some [Russian] drugs that are in fashion.  [One such drug] is the Russian-manufactured vaccine against rabies.  It is still in great demand in Georgia, and the government purchases large amounts of this vaccine. There are alternatives, but the government will have to spend more money." 

Regarding other drugs, Gegelashvili spoke only about potential delays…  "The arrival of European drugs will be delayed because most of the drugs must be shipped through Russia.  However, this should not be a serious problem."

When interviewed, Ketevan Izoria reported that she has not been able to purchase her drugs for several days now.  "[Georgia’s] problems with Russia have already affected the drug supply. There are no more Russian drugs at the pharmacies… They can be replaced by similar drugs, but these will be more expensive since they must come from Europe.”

Eka Gulua