Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, commenting on the necessity of providing medication for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, stated that the issue concerns state budget funds rather than the “personal” money of the authorities.
According to him, the sums under discussion — 50 or 60 million GEL (Georgian Lari) — are taxpayers’ money, and the state is duty-bound to be responsible for its rational expenditure.
“These are public funds. The only thing that can restrain us is our responsibility to the Georgian people,” Kobakhidze explained.
The head of government noted that while it would be politically easier to allocate the funds, the government must not allow the inefficient spending of the budget.
“We are ready to discuss this issue with everyone, including the Patriarch. We have our position on this matter, but if someone convinces us otherwise, anything is possible. We are open to discussion,” the Prime Minister stated.
Kobakhidze emphasized that the state has already faced situations where decisions on large expenditures were made under public pressure which, according to him, did not yield the expected results.
He pointed out that there is a risk that significant budget funds could end up benefiting the so-called “pharmaceutical mafia.”
“If we see that the money yields real results — there is no question. But if it only goes toward enriching the pharmaceutical mafia, making a decision will be difficult,” Irakli Kobakhidze stated.
The Prime Minister also noted that the cost of some medications, according to him, may be inflated many times over compared to their production cost.
Responding to a question about a possible meeting with the parents of the affected children, Kobakhidze stated that it would be more appropriate to hold such consultations at the Georgian Ministry of Health.
“The necessary expert competence is there. It is better to continue the discussion specifically within the Ministry of Health framework, rather than in a purely political vein,” he concluded.
Parents of children with Duchenne disease to meet with Patriarch Shio III