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

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM