Health Minister: Introduction of Trikafta will mark a turning point towards a healthier life for many children and families

“Following successful collaboration between parents and the state, the decision has been taken for the government to procure what is currently the most effective medication for the treatment of cystic fibrosis,” Minister of Health Mikheil Sarjveladze announced at a press briefing.

According to the Minister, the Ministry will actively continue working on the procedures required for the drug’s rollout, with the supply of Trikafta to patients set to begin in September.

“Today, I wish to share information with the public regarding another major expansion of our rare disease management programme. This time, it concerns the management of cystic fibrosis, also known as mucoviscidosis, a rare, genetic, and deeply insidious and severe condition. It is a serious disorder caused by a gene mutation that leads to the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus in the body. The disease primarily inflicts severe damage on the respiratory system, causing chronic airway inflammation and a progressive decline in lung function, including respiratory failure. It also damages the digestive system, the pancreas, and other organs. The condition impacts life expectancy and causes a significant deterioration in quality of life, a burden that falls with devastating severity on children. It is for this reason that, primarily as a result of successful collaboration between parents and the state, the decision was taken for the government to procure what is currently the most effective medication available for treating cystic fibrosis,” stated Sarjveladze.

Mikheil Sarjveladze expressed his gratitude to the Government of Georgia and personally to the Prime Minister of Georgia for this decision and for their support throughout the process.

“The Ministry will actively continue working on the procedures required for the drug’s implementation, and the delivery of Trikafta to patients will commence in September. We can say with absolute certainty that introducing this medication will mark a turning point towards a completely new, healthier life for many children and families; something I wish for everyone. I am deeply grateful to the Georgian Government and the Prime Minister personally for this decision and for their comprehensive support at every stage of the process.

Georgia will be among the select few nations to have incorporated this highly expensive medication into its state healthcare scheme with full government funding. I wish to extend special thanks to the parents for their involvement and collaboration, including their role in successfully navigating the previous major phase of expanding this disease management programme late last year, as well as for walking this difficult path together with us with resilience and patience. All of this was decisive in achieving today’s success,” the Health Minister declared.

For context, the Ministry of Health will procure the innovative drug Trikafta for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.