site.btaParliament Approves in Principle Vending Machines for Medicines in Settlements with Shortage of Pharmacies

Parliament on Thursday adopted at first reading amendments to the Medicinal Products in Human Medicine Act, which allows vending machines for the sale of medicinal products to be placed in settlements where there is an established shortage of pharmacies in line with the current regulations. The amendments tabled by Vazrazhdane were voted 119-12, with 22 abstentions.

The bill was supported by GERB-UDF, Vazrazhdane, BSP for Bulgaria and There is Such a People, as well as three members of Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and five independent deputies. Twelve MPs from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) voted against and one abstained. Twenty CC-DB MPs abstained, as did one independent MP. 

The state will finance the opening of pharmacies, including 24-hour pharmacies, or the sale of medicines through vending machines in districts, municipalities and settlements where the National Pharmacy Map has identified a shortage of pharmacies, including 24-hour pharmacies, the MPs decided. 

Legal entities which sell medicines in small towns where there is no pharmacy will pay an 8% corporate tax.