Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

There is a major shortage of both medicines and pharmacists in Bulgaria, says BPU

Photo: mh.government.bg

The number of pharmacies in Bulgaria is almost twice the European average, the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union (BPU) said on the occasion of World Pharmacist Day. The large number of pharmacies leads to a shortage of staff, said the union's chairman Dimitar Marinov. On average in Europe, a pharmacy employs three pharmacists, while in Bulgaria there are 2.1 pharmacists per pharmacy. There are areas where, despite legal requirements, pharmacies lack qualified staff.

Because of the many shortages of medicines, refusals and stock-outs, pharmacies have become "call centres, looking all day for medicines for their patients," Marinov said. In addition to supply logistics, a lack of timely and accurate consumption information also creates problems. The troubles also come from having the same supply chain of pharmacy owners, warehouses and even manufacturers regardless of the what the law says



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Parliament adopts the amendments regarding Lukoil's special manager

The National Assembly adopted today, at first and second reading, legislative amendments that expand the powers of the special manager of the Lukoil refinery. The texts were adopted with the votes of the parliamentary majority formations GERB-SDS,..

published on 11/7/25 6:25 PM

Sales of starter sets with Bulgarian euro coins begin on December 1

Sales of starter sets with euro coins with the Bulgarian national side will begin on December 1, 2025 , the BNB announced. They will be in circulation from January 1, 2026.  The BNB and Bulgarian Posts will sell starter sets only to individuals;..

published on 11/7/25 6:10 PM

Bulgaria marks 140 years since victory in the Battle of Slivnitsa

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will take part in the solemn celebrations on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the Serbo-Bulgarian War, which will be held on November 7 - Victory Day in the Battle of Slivnitsa. The ceremony..

published on 11/7/25 4:28 PM