More than 700 pharmacies in Bulgaria will not work today due to a protest

According to the organisers from the National Pharmacy Chamber over 700 pharmacies in the country will remain closed on 20th of February.

Pharmacists insist on a national drug policy. They want the introduction of an electronic prescription and electronic dossier for the patients.

The Chamber also called for the creation of financial instruments to enable pharmacies to introduce the electronic systems required by them.

They also propose unified state prices of medicines, printed by the manufacturer on the packaging of each drug.

Pharmacists' dissatisfaction is due to requirements regarding the drug verification system and the introduction of new drug control software.

Anton Valev, a pharmacist who is one of the organisers of the protest, said they were not against the verification of drugs but insisted on better order in the supply; creating sufficient conditions for introducing of electronic dossier and an electronic prescription; and on pharmacies stop being commercial companies.

This is a last minute ordinance and we will protest against it, he said.

Penka Georgieva from the patients’ organisation, has expressed concern about the closure of pharmacies today and said it should be the beginning of a dialogue with the state rather than leaving the business to confront patients.

Over 60 pharmacies in Blagoevgrad region (South Bulgaria) closed on 20^th of February. Pharmacists are firmly in favour of renewаl in the industry and introducing eHealth, a national system for e-prescription and digitisation of healthcare, but step by step. According to pharmacists, drug manufacturers need to fund the new software.

Pharmacists in nearly 40 pharmacies in Rousse area will join the protest. They are firm that there should be a change in the health care system, but it should not be done to the detriment of the sick people.