The Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, presided by the Chair, Dimitri Khundadze, considered with the III reading the Bill on Facilitation of Employment by MPs Sophio Kiladze, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Kiknavelidze, Merab Kvaraia, Rati Ionatamishvili, Dimitri Tskitishvili, Ilia Nakashidze, Dimitri Mkheidze, Davit Matikashvili, Anri Okhanashvili, Paata Mkheidze, Gia Benashvili, Tsotne Zurabiani, Gogi Meshveliani, Endzela Machavariani, Svetlana Kudba, Pati Khalvashi, and Dimitri Khundadze.

The rapporteur, Sophio Kiladze introduced the editorial changes to the Bill.

The Committee approved the Bill and resumed its work with the Bill on Medicines and Pharmaceutical Activities.

The First Deputy Minister of IDPs, Tamar Gabunia outlined the main principles of the Bill.

According to her, the terms of pharmaceutical products and biologically active additives are specified. The amendments are mainly procedural and relate to the change of date of registration and terms of proceedings. The purpose of the change is to improve the access regime, rules, and conditions of the pharmaceutical products on the Georgian market.

The attendees expressed different opinions regarding the registration deadlines of pharmaceutical products. It was also noted that the capabilities of the regulator should be strengthened both in terms of technical support and software. The Committee offered its option to the initiators regarding the deadlines, which is to reduce the limits set by the Bill.

Today’s agenda also enshrined the Bills previously postponed for voting on Health Care; Licenses and Permits; Code of Administrative Offenses; Control on Entrepreneurial Activity.

As Dimitri Khundadze stated, the Committee agreed on removing the Bills from the list of documents for accelerated consideration, therefore the discussion of the draft laws continues as usual. As he added, the court’s involvement, as was suggested, in the proceedings is indeed fair and it will be taken into account along with the Regulatory Body’s proposal regarding the Scarborough warning (i.e. no warning before inspection).

Accordingly, D. Khundadze introduced the Committee's proposal, namely that the Committee considers it expedient for the Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency to exercise control again based on a judge's order, but without the mandatory notification to the medical institution.

"I believe this is an acceptable position, and most importantly, the right position for everyone. After the II reading, let's discuss the documents together again", - D. Khundadze addressed his colleagues.

Member of Independent MPs, Levan Koberidze demanded the floor to be given to the representatives of the medical field before the voting.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, the issue was postponed and therefore the Committee will not be able to return to the consideration procedure, however interested individuals will be able to participate in the II and III readings of the draft laws.

"The Committee has its own rules of procedure. The issue was submitted for an accelerated manner of consideration, the Committee did not accept the offer, even though it had been decided by the Bureau. We started discussing this document in the usual way, as it was interesting and important for us to listen to different opinions, attitudes and for that two Committees devoted time and allowed everyone to express their opinion. Every guest had the opportunity to express their opinion either here or at the additional meeting at the Sector Economy and Economic policy Committee. Please, note that only the vote was postponed”, - Dimitri Khundadze elucidated.

D. Khundadze reiterated the remarks made at various sittings of the Committees and which lawmakers are asking the initiators to share.

"There is no interest solely in the clinics or their owners. There are patients and I believe it is the responsible agency that should take control so that the most important interest is protected - the health of the population and the rights of the patient. The system, of course, must be goal-oriented - the patient's right must be protected. One can’t protect a patient’s interest without protecting a doctor’s interest. The interest of clinics should also be taken into account, but this can’t just be overwhelmed by the interest of not finding drawbacks within one’s responsibility. The violation must be detected correctly and the regulatory agency must be able to do so, but of course, the role of the court must be irreplaceable”, - D. Khundadze noted.

According to Dimitri Khundadze, these remarks must be taken into account to maintain the balance for - "Preventing someone from entering the clinic as a punitive detachment or the regulator from holding the leverage to check how the medical activities are carried out, which are very often related to human health and life. Golden mean is to be maintained, but of course, human life, health, and patient rights are paramount”.

Ultimately, the Committee voted in favor of the legislative package with specific remarks and approved it with the I reading.

The Committee also voted in favor of the Bill on Medicines and Pharmaceutical Activities and approved it with the I reading.

The Committee also considered the Bill on Labor Code with the deriving documents by Dimitri Tskitishvili, Sophio Kiladze, David Matikashvili, Tamar Chugoshvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Rati Ionatamishvili, and Tamar Khulordava.

According to the rapporteur, Dimitri Tskitishvili, the bill is a step forward in terms of approximation of Georgian labor law with the European and international standards. By adopting the bill, Georgia will fulfill the EUAA commitments. The bill facilitates the improvement of the labor rights protection standards as it regulates: prohibition of discrimination; verbal and termed labor agreements; labor agreement conditions; legal status of the interns; partial working hours; break time; right for the break; overtime; shifts; night shift; pregnancy and maternity; child care leave, including for the fathers; paid leaves; minimal salaries; mass dismissal; delegation of the enterprise; right of the strike; collective labor mediation, etc.

The rapporteur also answered questions of MPs.

The Committee will resume the consideration of the Bill tomorrow, July 1.