IMPACT OF PHARMACY REFORM ON THE DYNAMICS OF THE USE OF DRUGS AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ACCORDING TO THE 2013-2016 CLINICAL DATA FROM THE "CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF ADDICTION".

Use of medications without doctor's prescription widely established in Georgia had negative impact on the health of the population and on the whole social situation. The use of home-made drugs "Krokodil", "Jeff" and "Vint" produced from the preparations bought without prescriptions (Codeine, Ephedrine), became a special matter of concern. Psychoactive substances became available for teenagers causing damage to their central nervous system and formation of drug-addiction in them. Due to the situation Georgian Government took a number of legislative measures, particularly, it set Criminal Liability for illegal circulation of pharmaceutical products containing Codeine and Ephedrine and Administrative Measures for issuing the psychoactive substances without prescription. Reviewing the clinical histories (2013-2016) of the hospitalized beneficiaries of the "Center for Mental Health and Prevention of Addiction", revealed that the number of the users of home-made drugs produced of Codeine and Ephedrine was reduced but the reform did not have significant influence on distribution of psychoactive substances, due to which administrative measures for breaking circulation rules on psychoactive substances was tightened. The situation is also being improved with the help of universal use of electronic prescriptions and the introduction of quotas on psychoactive substances.