Cancer medications face highest rate of supply interruptions in Bulgaria

Cancer medications are leading the list of drugs experiencing the most frequent temporary or permanent supply interruptions in Bulgaria since the beginning of the year. According to data from the Executive Agency for Medicines, there is currently a shortage of 46 medications that are reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund. Among these, 11 are for anti-tumor treatment, 9 are for diabetes, heart, and cardiovascular diseases, and 8 are used for infections and immune diseases.

Patients, particularly women undergoing supportive therapy for breast cancer, have reported extreme difficulty locating essential hormonal drugs. One patient described the struggle of searching dozens of pharmacies in Sofia, finding only a single dose that was already reserved. While the importer reported that 8,000 doses of the medication Reseligo were delivered on October 16, the Ministry of Health noted that the distribution process to wholesalers is ongoing due to logistical procedures for clearing batches.

Patient organizations have attributed the current crisis to organizational failures. Meanwhile, surgeons and experts from the Association for Breast Cancer Treatment are seeking to unite and present formal grievances to the Bulgarian Medical Union and the National Health Insurance Fund to address these life-threatening shortages.