We have decided to completely prohibit the implementation of substitution therapy programs by private entities. Such a statement made today the Prime Minister of Georgia.

“As is well known, substitution therapy uses preparations such as ‘methadone’ and ‘buprenorphine.’ There is a well-founded suspicion in society that services provided by private companies often aim not at curing patients, but at legally supplying them with narcotic substances.

In circumstances where private companies have a direct commercial incentive to maximize the sale of medications, it is natural that their focus may shift from patient care to sales objectives. Such practices must be thoroughly prevented. Therefore, we have decided to entirely ban private entities from implementing substitution therapy programs.

The state must take full responsibility for implementing substitution treatment, which belongs to the category of high-risk medical activities.

Control over the implementation of state substitution therapy programs will be intensified to ensure that every service is strictly focused on facilitating the patient’s swift recovery and is not exploited to promote so-called legal drug addiction.

Besides, I have instructed Georgia’s Minister of Health to expedite the relocation of infrastructure designated for substitution therapy away from densely populated areas. Currently, a significant portion of this infrastructure is situated in such areas, leading to justified concerns and dissatisfaction among local residents”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.