New pharmacy funding rules are expected to be formulated today, broadcast BNT.
The changes are being made because of the dramatic increase in the cost of processing prescriptions for free drugs for the chronically ill.
The proposal of the Ministry of Health to solve the problem caused protests, and 9 pharmacies submitted notices to terminate the contracts with the cash register. Doctors now prescribe up to 3 free drugs per prescription for a chronically ill patient. Pharmacies sell them without a markup, and as compensation they receive BGN 5 for processing each prescription.
Since April, there are more free medicines for people with cardiovascular diseases. Prescription processing costs too. The Ministry of Health proposed that all free medicines be prescribed on one prescription. Pharmacists reacted with protests. Urgent negotiations followed with the Treasury to change the rules for funding the processing of prescriptions for free medicines.