For 517 BGN or over 8 thousand BGN: Hospitals are being investigated over prices of expensive medicines

Bulgaria's National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has seen a dramatic increase in its expenditure on the same expensive medications over a single year, according to a recent analysis by the Ministry of Health. This stark revelation, based on data from the NHIF and hospitals, indicates that the fund paid "several times more" for identical drugs, raising serious concerns about the escalating costs within the healthcare system.

The analysis highlights a significant disparity in pricing, prompting an investigation into the reasons behind these inflated costs. The Ministry of Health is now scrutinizing hospitals to understand the factors contributing to such a substantial difference in expenditure for the same life-saving treatments. This situation puts a strain on the NHIF's budget and, by extension, on the accessibility of these crucial medications for patients.

This development is particularly worrying given the already stretched resources of the Bulgarian healthcare system. The findings underscore the urgent need for greater transparency and stricter regulation in the procurement and pricing of high-cost pharmaceuticals. The public awaits further details on the investigation and the measures that will be taken to ensure fair pricing and responsible use of public funds in healthcare.