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Bulgarian medicinal product shortages

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-20 18:52 UTC → 2026-10-26 15:04 UTC · added removed

Bulgaria is facing significant challenges regarding the availability of essential medications. The Bulgarian Association for Patient Protection (BAP) has raised concerns over proposed changes to the Specialized Electronic System for Tracking and Analysis of Medicinal Products (SESPA), arguing that new electronic prescription requirements may only identify shortages after patients are already affected. Lawyer Plamen Taushanov stated that for chronic and severe illnesses, needs must be forecasted rather than addressed at the last moment through individual prescriptions. BAP advocates for a deeper analysis of existing supply chain data to identify where deficits occur. Data from the Executive Agency for Medicines indicates that cancer medications are experiencing the highest rate of supply interruptions. Currently, 46 reimbursed medications are in short supply, including 11 anti-tumor treatments and various drugs for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Patients have reported extreme difficulty locating hormonal drugs for breast cancer treatment. While some supplies, such as 8,000 doses of Reseligo, have been delivered, the Ministry of Health noted that distribution to wholesalers remains ongoing due to logistical clearing procedures. In response ongoing. On October 15, 2026, the parliamentary health commission approved proposed amendments to these shortages, medical experts the Law on Medicinal Products in Human Medicine in a first reading. Adelina Lyubenova, head of the Initiative Committee of Master Pharmacists in Bulgaria, criticized the national approach for focusing on administrative monitoring rather than root causes. A study of 300 pharmacies and five patient organizations are seeking to present formal grievances to suggested that approximately 90% of identified shortages involve medications outside the scope of the list used by the Bulgarian Medical Union Drug Agency. These issues coincide with European-level discussions led by the European Medicines Agency regarding supply security and the National Health Insurance Fund. development of the Critical Medicines Act.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-26 15:04 UTC Bulgarian medicinal product shortages
  2. 2026-10-20 18:52 UTC Bulgarian medicinal product shortages

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