State to Spend $3 Million at the First Stage on Establishing National Drug Quality Lab

It takes at least $ 3 million to set up a drug quality lab. The Deputy Minister of Health Tamar Gabunia stated about it. 

"This year, the drug quality laboratory is our main priority, which will be created at the expense of the state at the first stage, and, of course, we have the opportunity to use other resources. I am talking about loan agreements, in cooperation with the European Investment Bank it is possible to discuss this issue in the purchase of equipment, however, in the first stage, we will discuss the issue of infrastructure investment in the state rehabilitation and equipment program. I think it will not take much time and we will have it already for next year. The initial minimum investment required for a basic laboratory is estimated at $ 3 million - that is, including basic equipment, part of which is for infrastructure needs," Gabunia said.

Minister of Health Ekaterine Tikaradze spoke about the establishment of the National Drug Laboratory in order to control the quality of medicines in the format of "Minister Hour" in the Parliament.

According to the Minister, the laboratory will study the quality of both local and imported medicines.

According to Zaal Kapanadze, the head of the Agency for Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Activities, the process of establishing the National Drug Laboratory has already started and preparatory works are underway. The next steps are related to the design and appropriate equipment.