A serious danger of medicine shortage after January 1 threatens Bulgarian patients, the Initiative Committee of Master Pharmacists has warned. The reason is the accumulated tension in the system and unpaid debts from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to family pharmacies in the amount of nearly 60 million leva.
"In the last months of each year, the money in the NHIF runs out and it is necessary to open the reserve. We appeal, in order to calm our passions, to predict whether there will be money by the end of the year. Money is important. Pharmacies take medicines on credit," said Evgeni Antonov from the Initiative Committee of Master Pharmacists on the air of Bulgaria ON AIR.
According to Antonov, the situation makes it impossible for small pharmacies to operate. In the worst-case scenario, pharmacists wait 45 days to receive money for expensive therapy, which forces them to buy medicines on credit.
"When we don't pay our bills, they will refuse us the next delivery. 1800 family-type pharmacies - for many settlements, these are the only representatives. We try to make the medicine available before the patient," Antonov also commented, quoted by the television.
Pharmacists are demanding clear information on whether the Fund's reserve will be opened to cover obligations, and for preventive measures against the export of medicines.
Ivan Dimitrov, chairman of the "Bulgarian Patients Forum" federation, described the situation as "a total disgrace" and accused the NHIF Supervisory Board of having turned into a service body of the Ministry of Finance.
"People cannot buy medicines, these are medicines between 2,000 and 50,000 leva. Every year the Health Fund puts the health of chronic patients at risk. Medicines are life-saving," stressed Dimitrov.
He added that the state continues to be an incorrect payer and warned that the only way out for the chronically ill may be "health emigration" to Europe, where the health of patients is not exposed to such a risk.
"I don't think 50-60 or 100 million is a problem for the state. This is discrimination against all sick Bulgarians," Dimitrov was categorical.