Bulgaria debates medicine shortages amid EU supply chain discussions

Bulgaria is facing a debate over legislative changes to the Law on Medicinal Products in Human Medicine following recent shortages. On October 15, 2026, the parliamentary health commission approved proposed amendments from the Ministry of Health in a first reading.

Adelina Lyubenova, head of the Initiative Committee of Master Pharmacists in Bulgaria, has criticized the national approach for focusing on administrative monitoring and restrictive measures rather than addressing the root causes of supply vulnerabilities. Data presented by the committee from a study of 300 pharmacies and five patient organizations suggests that approximately 90% of identified shortages involve medications outside the scope of the list used by the Bulgarian Drug Agency (SESPA).

These national developments coincide with European-level discussions. On October 21, the European Medicines Agency held a meeting of the Medicines Supply Group (MSSG), co-chaired by Executive Director Emer Cooke, to discuss supply security, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the development of the Critical Medicines Act.