Georgia cracks down on psychotropic drug prescriptions with stricter rules

Georgia has tightened controls on electronic prescriptions for psychotropic drugs. The new rules, set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, will take effect on 1 April 2023. They follow an investigation that uncovered widespread irregularities in prescribing practices. Under the updated regulations, doctors can now prescribe a maximum of 14 days' worth of medication for adults and 30 days for minors. Any new prescription will only be issued when a patient has five days or less of their current supply remaining. Physicians must also ensure that daily doses do not exceed the limits stated in the drug's official instructions.

The changes come after the Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities Regulation Agency found multiple violations in how these medications were being prescribed. Doctors will now need to provide clear medical justification for each prescription and record their reasoning in the patient's medical history. The framework also includes new procedures for cases where medication is lost, damaged, or destroyed. Dosage adjustments must account for any remaining medication the patient already holds. Several medical professionals have already faced disciplinary action for failing to comply with earlier prescribing rules.

The stricter measures aim to reduce misuse and improve oversight of psychotropic drug prescriptions. From April, all electronic prescriptions will follow these updated guidelines. Authorities have not yet announced further steps beyond the 2023 regulations.