The News in Brief
Friday, July 15, 2022
Prepared by Messenger Staff
European Commission representative says to submit a report on the priorities in the enlargement package in 2023, giving the political system of Georgia enough time to thoroughly work on the priorities
We will deliver a report on the top priorities for the expansion package in 2023, as asked by the European Council. According to the representative of the European Commission in the European Parliament, where the draft of the annual report on the implementation of the Association Agreement by Georgia was given, this will give the political system of Georgia the time to carefully work on the priorities.
“Of course, Russian aggression has changed the geopolitical reality. We are pleased to have great support for the Commission's approach to the region. The Commission approved the conclusion on June 17, then the European Council took into account our advice, and we are glad that Georgia has been given a European perspective and will be granted candidate status, as soon as a number of priorities are resolved. We are, of course, very interested in Georgia working hard, deeply and thoroughly on these priorities. Therefore, after careful judgment, we decided not to rush the political elite of Georgia in their efforts to depolarize the country, to sit at the same table, to work thoroughly on reforms. Therefore, as requested by the European Council, we will present a report on priorities in the enlargement package in 2023. This will give the political system of Georgia enough time to thoroughly work on priorities,” said the representative of the European Commission.
Association Claims Erdogan’s Recent Decision Will Increase Price of Turkish Medicines in Georgia by 30%
In Turkey, the price of medicines intended for the local market is increasing. The corresponding order was issued by the President of the country, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on July 7. This document establishes new tariffs for pharmaceutical products. The previous order, which has been in effect until now, was adopted in 2017 and the need to revise it arose due to the devaluation of the Turkish national currency, lira. This resolution defines the maximum profit margin that the pharmacy chain and drug supplier can set for a drug of a specific value.
The change in tariffs in Turkey affects the medicines available in the pharmacy chains in Georgia, which are imported from the neighboring state. Keti Kozmanashvili, the head of ‘Pharmadepo’, confirms with BMG that the supplier has already been warned that when placing a new order, they will have to purchase Turkish drugs at a 25% higher price.
Association of Pharmacists also announces a 25-30% increase in prices, however, as the executive director of the association Ilona Kokiashvili explains, despite the price increase, Turkish drugs will still remain in the cheaper segment compared to European ones.
The timing of when the new rates will be reflected in the networks depends on what stocks pharmacies have left over from old purchases.
More than 5 months have passed since the opening of the medicine market in the neighboring country. According to the information of the Ministry of Health on June 24, more than 400 names of medicines imported from Turkey are available in Georgian pharmacy chains. The prices of medicines are reduced by 60% - 80%, compared to previously existing alternatives. According to the agency's statistics, only from March to June 24, more than 155,000 citizens bought medicines imported from Turkey and paid approximately GEL23 million instead of 74 million at the old prices. Accordingly, citizens saved GEL51 million during this period.
European Commission representative says to submit a report on the priorities in the enlargement package in 2023, giving the political system of Georgia enough time to thoroughly work on the priorities
We will deliver a report on the top priorities for the expansion package in 2023, as asked by the European Council. According to the representative of the European Commission in the European Parliament, where the draft of the annual report on the implementation of the Association Agreement by Georgia was given, this will give the political system of Georgia the time to carefully work on the priorities.
“Of course, Russian aggression has changed the geopolitical reality. We are pleased to have great support for the Commission's approach to the region. The Commission approved the conclusion on June 17, then the European Council took into account our advice, and we are glad that Georgia has been given a European perspective and will be granted candidate status, as soon as a number of priorities are resolved. We are, of course, very interested in Georgia working hard, deeply and thoroughly on these priorities. Therefore, after careful judgment, we decided not to rush the political elite of Georgia in their efforts to depolarize the country, to sit at the same table, to work thoroughly on reforms. Therefore, as requested by the European Council, we will present a report on priorities in the enlargement package in 2023. This will give the political system of Georgia enough time to thoroughly work on priorities,” said the representative of the European Commission.
Association Claims Erdogan’s Recent Decision Will Increase Price of Turkish Medicines in Georgia by 30%
In Turkey, the price of medicines intended for the local market is increasing. The corresponding order was issued by the President of the country, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on July 7. This document establishes new tariffs for pharmaceutical products. The previous order, which has been in effect until now, was adopted in 2017 and the need to revise it arose due to the devaluation of the Turkish national currency, lira. This resolution defines the maximum profit margin that the pharmacy chain and drug supplier can set for a drug of a specific value.
The change in tariffs in Turkey affects the medicines available in the pharmacy chains in Georgia, which are imported from the neighboring state. Keti Kozmanashvili, the head of ‘Pharmadepo’, confirms with BMG that the supplier has already been warned that when placing a new order, they will have to purchase Turkish drugs at a 25% higher price.
Association of Pharmacists also announces a 25-30% increase in prices, however, as the executive director of the association Ilona Kokiashvili explains, despite the price increase, Turkish drugs will still remain in the cheaper segment compared to European ones.
The timing of when the new rates will be reflected in the networks depends on what stocks pharmacies have left over from old purchases.
More than 5 months have passed since the opening of the medicine market in the neighboring country. According to the information of the Ministry of Health on June 24, more than 400 names of medicines imported from Turkey are available in Georgian pharmacy chains. The prices of medicines are reduced by 60% - 80%, compared to previously existing alternatives. According to the agency's statistics, only from March to June 24, more than 155,000 citizens bought medicines imported from Turkey and paid approximately GEL23 million instead of 74 million at the old prices. Accordingly, citizens saved GEL51 million during this period.