An event on “Equal access to medicines in Europe: the role of digital solutions“, organized by MEP Christian Vigenin and the OnHOME Alliance, was held at the European Parliament. During the event, leading politicians, representatives of patient organizations and experts in the field of digital health discussed the possibilities of overcoming inequalities in access to medicines through innovation and digital tools.
In his speech, MEP Christian Vigenin emphasized the key role of digitalization in improving healthcare systems and access to medicines. “Digital solutions can make healthcare more accessible, faster and more efficient for patients across Europe. Despite progress in some countries, many citizens still face restrictions in access to medicines, especially in remote and rural areas, where the lack of pharmacies and medical specialists is a serious problem, he said.
“In January 2025, in Bulgaria, nearly 390 prescription medicines were unavailable in pharmacies, and over 15 municipalities do not have a single pharmacy, leaving 50,000 people without direct access to medicines“, he pointed out.
According to the Bulgarian MEP, such problems are not only national, but affect the entire EU. “The COVID-19 crisis has shown us how important telemedicine and electronic prescriptions are. These tools must be developed sustainably, and not remain temporary solutions,“, he added.
Vigenin also recalled a legislative study commissioned by him in 2023. in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, examining the regulatory framework for online pharmacies in a number of countries. “There are challenges to the full implementation of digital services in healthcare, but we need to work to solve them, not just find excuses why something cannot be improved“, concluded MEP Vigenin.
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