The import regime for specially controlled substances
The importation across the border of certain categories of substances requires special authorization. In the list of permits of the Georgian Law on Licences and Permits this direction contains two significant blocks: radioactive materials and medicinal products subject to special control. Both blocks, because of the high risk to health and safety, are placed under separate permit control.
Import of radioactive materials
Under the list, the import, export, transit and return to the manufacturer of radioactive material, as well as the import and export of nuclear technologies or know-how, are regulated by one permit; separate positions are the acquisition of radioactive material within the country and the export of radioactive waste. This means that the entire cycle of international circulation is defined for the importer: acquisition within, import-export-transit, return, and the removal of waste — each operation requires its own permit cover. The same permit also covers the import and export of nuclear technologies or know-how — which means that even the transfer of knowledge, and not only of material product, is an object of state control.
Medicinal products subject to special control
A separate category in the list is the permit for the import or export of medicinal products subject to special control. This part of pharmaceutical production is the object of dual control: it is subject both to the regulation of medicinal products and to special control, and therefore its foreign operations are covered by a separate permit. In this connection the list also contains other permits of a pharmaceutical profile: the permit for clinical research of a pharmacological product and the permit for pharmaceutical production.
The special rule for radiopharmaceuticals
Where the two spheres intersect — radioactive material and medicinal product — the law establishes a special rule: where a person holding authorization for nuclear and radiation activity for the medical use of radioactive substances imports radiopharmaceutical products for medical purposes, only the permit for the international circulation of radioactive material is issued, for a term of 1 year. One provision unites three requirements: the importer must hold medical authorization, the import is covered by this one permit only, and the permit's term is strictly limited — one year.