Sofia, Bulgaria – Pharmacies across Bulgaria are set to face temporary closures on July 3 as pharmacists protest against proposed changes to their payment structure by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Dimitar Marinov, chairman of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union (BPU), announced the upcoming protest, indicating a significant disruption in pharmacy services.
Pharmacists plan to stage their protest on July 4 from 09:00 to 09:30, during which pharmacies will only dispense medications for emergencies.
In addition to the protest, pharmacy owners will submit notices to regional health insurance funds to terminate their contracts with the NHIF.
Marinov emphasized the financial strain that the proposed payment reforms would place on pharmacies, stating that without adequate compensation for over-the-counter drugs and cosmetics, many pharmacies might struggle to stay afloat in the coming months.
“On July 4, pharmacists will be present to explain to patients the implications of the proposed changes on the provision of free therapy,” Marinov stated, urging the public for patience and understanding during the protest period.
The Acting Minister of Health, Dr. Galya Kondeva, acknowledged the proposed changes to the Ordinance on the terms and conditions for prescribing and dispensing medicinal products.
These changes are currently open for public consultation on the Ministry of Health’s website. However, the BPU has yet to receive an official response from the Ministry or the NHIF regarding the necessity or impact of these reforms.
The draft proposals include removing restrictions on the number of drugs prescribed per prescription and allowing partial filling of electronic prescriptions across different pharmacies. According to Acting NHIF manager Prof.
Momchil Mavrov, the NHIF would proportionally reimburse pharmacies for drugs dispensed under these new guidelines, potentially reducing the current fixed-rate payments per prescription.
Marinov criticized these changes, arguing they would drastically reduce pharmacy revenues and disrupt the current funding model.
He expressed concerns about the economic viability of pharmacies, particularly those in smaller communities where they might be the sole providers of pharmaceutical services.
“Many pharmacies are already operating on thin margins, and these changes could push them into insolvency,” Marinov warned.
Pharmaceutical colleges across Bulgaria have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed changes, announcing the temporary closure of pharmacies on July 3 in solidarity with the protest.
Marinov reiterated the BPU’s proposal for a payment model based on patient diagnoses, which he believes would provide a more sustainable solution for pharmacies.
The proposed changes aim to save the NHIF approximately one million BGN per month, but their potential impact on pharmacy operations and patient access to medications remains a contentious issue among stakeholders.
The BPU contends that the reforms could lead to decreased access to essential medications, particularly for patients in rural and underserved areas.
As the protest date approaches, both pharmacists and patients are bracing for the potential disruptions.
The BPU continues to call for constructive dialogue with the NHIF and the Ministry of Health to find a mutually agreeable solution that ensures the financial sustainability of pharmacies while maintaining patient access to necessary medications.
The planned protests and temporary closures highlight the ongoing struggle between healthcare providers and policymakers to balance cost-saving measures with the need to provide adequate compensation and support to those delivering essential services.
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