05 October 2009, Sofia

Minister of Health Dr. Bozidar Nanev, along with new team ministry on drug policy - Vlaskovska Professor, Deputy Minister and Associate Professor Assen Dudov, Advisor to the Minister on drug policy - a meeting with members of the two umbrella organizations of the pharmaceutical industry in Bulgaria - Bulgarian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (BGPharmA) and the Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM). More than 40 representatives of different pharmaceutical companies.

Among the issues discussed highlight the theme of the new positive list of medicines on the basis of which the National Health Insurance Fund pays medicines already 4 months, and its effect on patients' access to medicines in our treatment.

Representatives of both organizations have united around the view that the new list has significantly improved the access of Bulgarian patients to medicines paid by the NHIF. Many technical problems have been corrected and patients can feel the positive effects of its introduction, a grim prediction for a large budget deficit due to a rise in health insurance costs for drugs were not justified - unofficial data NHIF has spent 30 million for medicines BGN for June 32 for July and 28 for August, which does not significantly exceed the monthly estimates.

The following were noted positive effects for patients Bulgarian:

- Removed to the waiting lists;

- For the first time in 4 years of modern medicines which are already available for years, European citizens are paid and the country;

- Included are cheaper generic drugs;

- Have significantly shortened the timetable and the inclusion of drugs in the system of payment of public funds;

- Reinforced clear criteria were applied in previous years - drugs are included in the list only if it is paid with public funds in at least 3 of 8 of the poorest European countries - so the list can not fall "exotic drugs" that other states do not cover.

However, the experience of actually meeting the needs of Bulgarian citizens shows that public funds paid to the state to pay for medicines are insufficient. Namely that due to the high levels of surcharge which patients are forced to cover some drug groups.