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

Weather forecast: The clouds and rain continue, no rain in the Southwest

On Thursday minimum temperatures will range between 6 and 11° C., for Sofia around 8° C. During the day the weather will continue cloudy and rainy. The rain will be more significant in Eastern Bulgaria, and in the afternoon – in Central Bulgaria...

published on 11/5/25 6:35 PM
Deputy PM Tomislav Donchev

European Commission withholds payment under recovery and resilience plan over failure to implement anti-corruption reforms

The European Commission has decided to withhold EUR 215 million from the second payment under Bulgaria’s recovery and resilience plan, the EC told the Bulgarian National Radio. The country is to receive EUR 439 million. EU may cut money for..

published on 11/5/25 4:39 PM

Parliament sets up ad-hoc committee to investigate Soros’ activities in Bulgaria

With 111 votes for, 51 against and 43 abstained, the National Assembly approved the establishment of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the activities of George Soros and his son Alexander Soros and their foundations in this country financing..

published on 11/5/25 3:15 PM