Opposition politician: western-made reliable medicines disappearing from Georgian pharmacies

Some Western-made medicines have completely disappeared from Georgian pharmacies as importing them at government-set maximum prices has become unprofitable, opposition politician Roman Gotsiridze claimed on Thursday.

Gotsiridze highlighted the effects of recent legislative changes, which he said had led to a sharp increase in medicine imports from Turkey while driving out European and American pharmaceuticals. According to him, in 2021, Georgia imported $46 million worth of medicines from Turkey, while in 2024, that number surged to $169 million.

“This is the result of changes made to the law. The good thing about this is that medicines have become cheaper, but the bad thing is that quality and reliable European and American medicines have been gradually driven out of the market,” he said.

Gotsiridze also raised concerns about billionaire and honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, accusing him of importing high-value artworks tax-free. According to Gotsiridze, in January alone, Ivanishvili brought sculptures worth $34 million into Georgia, in addition to paintings valued at $481 million.

“He has appropriated so much money from the budget that the people have the right to demand a free exhibition,” the opposition politician said.