Georgia signs agreement with Italian Italfarmaco to procure Givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients

“An agreement has been concluded with Italian pharmaceutical company Italfarmaco for the procurement of the drug Givinostat, intended for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Displacement, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, announced during a press briefing.

According to Sarjveladze, Georgia will be among the first countries in the world to procure the medication and integrate it into the state disease management program.

“Regarding the medication for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, I can inform you that negotiations with the Italian company Italfarmaco were successfully concluded today, with an agreement signed for the procurement of the drug Givinostat. This medication is designated for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from the age of six until the loss of ambulation. It should be noted that Georgia will be among the first countries in the world to purchase this drug and incorporate it into its state disease management program. I wish to express my gratitude to the parents who assisted the state in making the right decision. Continued collaboration with parents remains vital for the Ministry in effectively managing Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

I want to thank the Prime Minister personally for his decision and personal involvement, which made it possible to steer this process to a successful conclusion. I also extend my thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their exceptional support, as well as to the Ministry of Health team involved in the negotiation process.

As for the second medication previously discussed, negotiations on several fronts remain ongoing, and we hope they will reach a successful conclusion in the near future, at which point we will naturally share details with the public. Over the coming days, we will also provide further information regarding the upcoming expansion of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy programme,” stated Mikheil Sarjveladze.