site.btaHealth Ministry Bans Export of Insulin Drugs Until End-2023

Health Minister Hristo Hinkov issued an order banning the export of insulin drugs, the Health Ministry said in a press release on Thursday. The order comes into force on November 2 and will be in effect until December 31, 2023.

In addition to insulins and analogues, other drugs that lower blood sugar, and antibiotics intended for systemic use in children, are banned for export.

In view of the increased reports of the lack of the medicines in the country's pharmacy network, the Health Ministry requested a report from Information Services on the prescribed and dispensed medicines with electronic prescription.

Data are extremely worrying, showing a significant backlog in the number of medicines dispensed compared to those prescribed. For some of these the performance is 0%, 24% and 42%. The average fill rate for e-prescriptions was 59%.

The main objective of the present Order is to meet the needs of Bulgarian patients and to overcome the lack or shortage of vital medicinal products. The duration of the ban and the specific medicinal products are determined in strict compliance with the principle of proportionality, in order to protect population health and in compliance with the prohibition of arbitrary discrimination or covered restriction of trade between EU Member States.

In addition, and in connection with the numerous inquiries concerning e-prescriptions, the Health Ministry says that Hinkov will initiate a joint meeting between the Bulgarian Medical Association, the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union and other interested organisations. The aim of the meeting will be to seek mechanisms to overcome the differences of the parties involved in the process and to seek consensus for the benefit of the patient through a constructive dialogue.