Georgia tightens psychotropic drug rules to curb misuse risks

Georgia has introduced stricter rules for prescribing psychotropic medications to improve patient safety. The new regulations, set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, will take effect on April 1, 2023. The changes aim to reduce risks linked to the misuse of these powerful drugs. Under the updated system, doctors must now follow tighter limits on prescription quantities. Adults can receive no more than a 14-day supply per prescription, while minors are restricted to 30 days. Physicians can only issue a new prescription when a patient has five days or less of medication left.

Prescribed daily doses must not exceed the maximum amounts stated in the drug's official instructions. Doctors are also required to provide clear medical reasons for prescribing psychotropic medications and record them in the patient's medical history. The reform includes new procedures for cases where prescribed medication is lost, damaged, or destroyed. Some medical professionals have already faced disciplinary action for failing to follow previous prescription rules. However, no specific details have been released about investigations by the Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities Regulation Agency into these violations.

The changes will apply from April 1, 2023, with stricter controls on prescription amounts and better documentation requirements. The government expects these measures to lower the risks of inappropriate psychotropic drug use while ensuring patients receive safer and more accountable care.