Bulgaria healthcare system faces structural and economic reforms

Bulgaria's healthcare system is facing significant structural and economic challenges. Discussions are currently centered on potential reforms to pharmaceutical policy, including the possible restructuring of the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products into a unified “mega agency.” These discussions occur amidst rising public spending, increasing budget deficits, and growing costs for social payments and healthcare activities.

Pharmacists and medical professionals are raising concerns regarding the sustainability of the pharmacy network, the need for fair compensation for pharmaceutical care, and the management of public resources for medicines. Additionally, the National Health Insurance Fund's financial model is under scrutiny, with calls to shift from quantity-based payments to quality-focused treatment models.

Broader systemic issues include an aging population, rising costs of medical supplies, and the risk of medical staff shortages due to inadequate pay. Experts emphasize that addressing these problems requires a complex approach involving stabilization, improved health education to combat misinformation, and better distribution of funds between medical institutions and individual personnel.