Vice Speaker slams pharmaceutical companies over high drug prices in Georgia

During a parliamentary session examining the pharmaceutical market, pricing mechanisms, and operational practices, Vice Speaker Nino Tsilosani criticized pharmaceutical companies for selling medicines at prices unaffordable to ordinary citizens before the introduction of state-regulated reference prices.

Tsilosani said some patients were forced to purchase medicines from Turkey due to the excessive markups applied locally. She argued that companies prioritized profit over public health, charging fees comparable to or even higher than Western European markets.

“Reference prices allowed you to lower your margins while continuing to operate successfully. Is it ethical to profit so heavily while citizens pay exorbitant amounts for medicines essential to their survival? These are not luxury goods; they are necessary for life,” she stated.

Tsilosani also raised concerns about potential agreements between doctors and pharmaceutical firms, questioning whether physicians may be incentivized to prescribe certain drugs in exchange for bonuses or other financial benefits.

She called on companies to clarify how their networks operate, including pricing, markups, and any arrangements with medical professionals, emphasizing the need to protect patients and ensure fair access to essential medicines.