site.btaHealth Insurance Fund: 33 New Pharmacies Opened in Remote Areas in 2024

In 2024, a total of 33 new pharmacies working with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) were opened in remote areas, 11 of which working around the clock, NHIF Governor Stanimir Mihaylov told journalists after a Friday meeting with the leadership of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union (BPU).

Mihaylov said that a draft budget for the NHIF is set to be prepared for 2025, and discussions were held about the policies outlined in the 2024 Budget Act and their positive outcomes. According to the NHIF Governor, the 2024 payment methodology for pharmacies in remote areas or those that are the only ones in their region will continue in 2025. Data shows that as a result of this funding, new pharmacies have opened, the number of services for citizens has increased, and access to medications for patients has improved.

Mihaylov also mentioned that the NHIF's 2025 budget draft proposes the same level of funding for pharmacies in hard-to-reach areas as in the 2024 budget, although the macro budget framework has not yet been confirmed. He reminded that in 2024, NHIF paid nearly BGN 70 million to these pharmacies. 

However, there are still municipalities without pharmacies working with the NHIF, but these usually have a small population or are close to a large city. The goal of the NHIF's payment methodology is to ensure that each region has a 24-hour pharmacy. If this methodology remains unchanged, more pharmacies are expected to open in the future, Mihaylov added.

Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union President Dimitar Marinov highlighted the success of the joint efforts with the NHIF. Now, pharmacy owners need to be assured that this policy will remain constant. He also pointed out that people now have access to many more medications covered by the NHIF. It is important to ensure that each payment made to pharmacies for medications corresponds to actual medicines provided, said Marinov. According to him, pharmacies are the most reformed sector in healthcare.