Bulgaria's pharmacy sector faces pharmacist shortage and soaring drug prices

Pharmacists in Bulgaria are increasingly unwilling to work in pharmacies, citing low wages and rising regulatory demands. Pharmacy Association chairman Dimitar Marinos warned that despite the lowest price mark‑ups in the EU (about 25% compared with up to 40% in Germany), pharmacies struggle with high labor costs and a 20% VAT, calling for protected prices and higher reimbursed rates.

Pharmacy owners, represented by Nikolay Kostov, highlighted that identical medicines can cost up to three times more in Bulgaria than in neighbouring Greece. Kostov described the price gap as "shocking" and urged reforms to generic pricing rules, margin structures and the use of parallel imports, stressing that current margins are unsustainable for pharmacies.

Both leaders demanded regulatory changes to stabilise the sector, improve drug affordability for patients, and retain pharmacy staff.