Georgia cracks down on psychotropic drug prescriptions with strict new rules

Georgia has tightened controls on psychotropic drug prescriptions with new electronic rules. The changes, introduced by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, will take effect on 1 April 2023. Officials aim to address widespread irregularities in how these medications are prescribed and managed. An investigation by the Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities Regulation Agency uncovered repeated violations in prescribing practices. Some doctors issued psychotropic drugs without proper diagnoses, clear justifications, or patient consultations. As a result, disciplinary action has been taken against several medical professionals involved in these breaches.

Under the updated framework, physicians must now provide detailed medical reasoning for any psychotropic prescription. This justification must be recorded in the patient's medical history. Daily doses cannot exceed the maximum limits set in the drug's official instructions. The new rules also restrict prescription quantities. Adults can receive no more than a 14-day supply per prescription, while minors are limited to 30 days. Doctors may only issue a new prescription when a patient has five days or less of medication left. Additionally, procedures have been introduced for cases where prescribed drugs are lost, damaged, or destroyed. Previously, no specific sanctions for such violations were documented in available records. The latest measures mark the first formal steps to enforce stricter oversight.

The regulations will apply from 1 April 2023. They require clearer documentation, stricter quantity limits, and defined procedures for lost or damaged medications. Authorities expect these changes to reduce misuse and improve patient safety in psychotropic drug prescriptions.