“This is a serious matter, and it must be examined with the involvement of specialists and drawing on the experience of other countries. What is needed is a thorough, including scientific, assessment and investigation,” declared Georgia’s Minister of Health, Mikheil Sarjveladze, responding to a question about the process of studying treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

According to Sarjveladze, no expense will be spared if there is any doubt about the safety of a treatment.

“It is vitally important that we understand clearly, given the sensitivity of this subject, that under no circumstances can we permit misinterpretation of any kind: neither extinguishing someone’s hope, nor, conversely, creating false expectations. We are currently examining a matter that is important and demands thorough investigation and analysis due to its sensitivity. This requires diligent effort and serious work. We have never closed our doors to any parent or interested party, ensuring they can fully access information about what we have done up to now, and what we intend to do. It therefore goes without saying that this commitment stands, and we intend to continue the study and investigation of a matter that is of the utmost importance, gravity, and complexity.

At the same time, the matter requires proper assessment. A study means a comprehensive evaluation from every angle. A great many European states are engaged in precisely this; practically every state for which the issue is equally pressing. Everyone is well aware of the situation. Let us reiterate what the Prime Minister of Georgia has said: no expense will be spared, and nothing will deter us, when we are speaking of a treatment whose safety is not in question and which is capable of producing real effects. This is a serious matter, and we should involve specialists and draw on the experience of other countries. That is how decisions must be reached. Naturally, having a member of parliament write something on a T-shirt is hardly sufficient to advance the discussion of such a matter. What is required is a thorough, including scientific, assessment and investigation,” declared Mikheil Sarjveladze.

Furthermore, as Sarjveladze noted, there are certain risks associated with the use of the requested medications, which is precisely why measured and considered decisions are necessary.

“We presented the matter to parliament as well, and cited information from specific sources regarding, for instance, certain fatal cases and fatal risks. In disseminating this information, we rely on sources that have been, amongst other things, scientifically studied and reviewed. This is not a simple, straightforward matter to resolve. It absolutely requires thorough analysis. I fully understand the emotion, the pain, the grave circumstances, but that does not permit us to make decisions without careful thought, particularly when the risks of resolving the matter irresponsibly are very high. The situation must therefore be carefully assessed, and based on considered, consolidated positions, we must reach sound decisions that will genuinely help the children who need this medicine,” Sarjveladze declared.