Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Vice-President Iliana Iotova: This National Assembly lacks legitimacy

Speaking to journalists during her visit to the town of Gotse Delchev in the Blagoevgrad region, Vice-President Iliana Iotova described the newly elected National Assembly as "illegitimate".  According to her, the reports of violations and the..

published on 11/7/24 6:34 PM

Weather forecast: Daytime highs expected to increase by 1°C-2°C

On Friday, there will be fog in the valleys. The lowest temperatures will range between minus 5°C and 0°C, for Sofia around minus 3°C. It will be sunny during the day. The maximum temperatures will range from 14°C to 19°C, for Sofia around 16°C...

published on 11/7/24 5:20 PM
Borislav Gutsanov

BSP and ITN want to give the full rights for forming caretaker cabinet back to the president

BSP and ITN will ask the Constitutional Court to give the full rights to form a caretaker cabinet back to the president, Borislav Gutsanov from BSP - United Left has told the BNR. "BSP-United Left will be the guardians of the..

published on 11/7/24 4:01 PM