Health minister: Countries awaiting answers before adopting Duchenne treatment programmes

Georgia's Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze on Friday claimed countries across Europe remained cautious but hopeful about new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as governments and medical experts continue to assess available evidence before making funding decisions.

Speaking after meetings in Geneva with senior officials and representatives of the medical and clinical sectors from around 15 countries, Sarjveladze claimed questions remained regarding the treatment, but there was broad interest in obtaining clear answers as quickly as possible.

"Everyone is discussing the existing questions and uncertainties, but at the same time there is hope. There is a desire to find relevant answers as quickly as possible, which would allow European countries, including Georgia, to make decisions on introducing this medication into state programmes," he said amid ongoing protests over the medication in the country. 

Sarjveladze stressed that the treatment was relatively new and that the cautious approach being taken by governments and healthcare systems was justified.

"These medicines are new to the market. Therefore, the caution and close monitoring we are seeing from the international community is entirely logical and appropriate," he said.

The minister also reiterated that the Health Ministry remained open to discussions with patients, parents and other stakeholders as it continues to evaluate the issue.