Georgia’s Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze addressed the reform of the substitution therapy system during a briefing following a Cabinet meeting.

Sarjveladze highlighted deficiencies in the private substitution therapy system, citing specific examples and emphasising that the reform’s launch was well-justified.

“The current reform was absolutely correctly planned, primarily relating to the renewal of the substitution therapy system. The Prime Minister spoke about shortcomings that clearly emerged during the reform process. You may recall that not so long ago, on August 15 this year, the first phase of the reform was completed, which involved abolishing the private substitution therapy system and ensuring that service delivery continues through state structures. This was a significant step. Even to the naked eye, the corruption that accompanied the private substitution system is readily apparent. For instance, we uncovered the practice of individuals simultaneously receiving services from different private substitution points. This means beneficiaries remained beyond proper oversight.

We identified hundreds of people who, from the very first day after transferring to the state substitution therapy system, requested their previously prescribed dose be reduced threefold. Specifically, from their prescribed daily dose of 24 milligrams, they consented to consume only eight milligrams. I believe the public can readily deduce what such corruption might serve,” Sarjveladze declared.

According to the Health Minister, there are attempts to divert narcotic substances outside the system, to which the state is responding firmly.

“In many cases involving individuals who transferred to state structures, there are attempts to extract narcotic substances from the system. The system is prepared to apply maximum pressure in this regard. Naturally, such circumstances are being investigated, and we shall be called upon to ensure no such incidents occur. Should any such attempt be detected, the response will be severe. No state institution can tolerate this,” Sarjveladze stated.

As the minister noted at the briefing, subsequent phases of the reform are actively underway to make substitution therapy as results-oriented as possible.

“Under the previous practice, the private substitution system was entirely focused on the legal provision of narcotics. We must completely change this approach and orient ourselves towards achieving the highest possible recovery effect. This means an increase in cases of long-term remission and a greater focus on achieving this outcome.

Unfortunately, the approach involved increasing doses for certain beneficiaries. This was the case in general terms, too. Treatment cases concluded with positive outcomes were critically few or, in some places, didn’t exist at all. We shall change this approach as well,” the Health Minister declared.