Georgia parents end 45-night protest after securing Duchenne treatment deal

Parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Georgia have ended their 45-night protest after reaching an agreement with the government. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the families and committed to securing access to four critical medicines, including Elevidys and exon skipping therapy. The protests began months ago, with parents demanding treatment options for their children. After two formal meetings between officials and campaigners, a deal was finally struck. The government has now promised to form a working group, involving health ministry representatives and parents, to oversee the purchase of the agreed-upon drugs.

The final procurement decision will depend on proposals from pharmaceutical companies and other key factors. Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze confirmed that updates will first go to parents and patients, with full public details released later. Meanwhile, the Ilia Student Movement separately raised 2 million GEL during the campaign to support other needs of children with Duchenne. Parents have now shifted from protest to what they call a 'work mode,' focusing on ensuring the agreement is implemented smoothly.

The deal marks the end of a long public campaign for access to life-changing treatments. The newly formed working group will now handle the procurement process, with input from both officials and families. Full transparency on the next steps is expected in the coming weeks.