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"Only in Bulgaria is it believed that only the Minister of Health is to blame for the shortage of medicines.

3/4 of the countries in the EC experience such a shortage of medicines, among them Italy and Germany.

However, no one thinks of blaming the health minister, as they understand that the root of the problem is much deeper.

This was stated by the former Minister of Health Prof. Asena Serbezova

Prof. Asena Serbezova graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy of MU-Sofia in 1996. Defended in the show "Face to Face" on BTV.

"The formula change did not affect the observed 400 drugs from the positive drug list.

The caretaker health minister is confusing the terms 'monitored' and 'prohibited for export' drugs," she pointed out in response to criticism that

out of 400 monitored medications in our country, they have been reduced to 60.

Prof. Serbezova explained that the drugs fall from this list into an electronic database.

"Based on this information, the Medicines Executive Agency generates a list every week.

When the formula is applied correctly, the list actually shrinks.

We had information that the formula was not being applied correctly, meaning that the list was larger than necessary.

As a pharmacist and minister of health, I had the opportunity to look at the system from a different angle.

That's why I ordered an audit.

For 4 months, however, the audit was not completed.

We found that when it was set the formula was incorrect.

It is extremely populist to say that I returned the formula in violation of the law.

Just because the list has been narrowed does not mean that it has led to greater drug shortages.

These drugs,

which do not reach are not from the positive list.

About 30 to 40 medicinal products are actually missing in our country, but this also happens in other EU countries.

There, doctors know about it and prescribe generics, pharmacists also substitute generics.

If the implementation of the electronic prescription had not failed, things would have improved," explained the former health minister.

Prof. Pandov (PP): The problem with the shortage of medicines is global, Minister Medzhidiev is acting unworthy

"For a generic product to be authorized, it means that the manufacturer has been able to prove that it is bioequivalent.

It is possible that there is a difference, but for a very small percentage of the population," specified Prof. Serbezova.

"Our idea was to upgrade the electronic prescription system with artificial intelligence.

It made it possible to make a correction in a given prescription, and for doctors to know what is available in pharmacies," she emphasized.

"A survey of patient signals was done.

It turns out that 21% are for drugs that do not have registration in our country due to stopped production, but doctors continue to prescribe them", pointed out Asena Serbezova

Prof. Asena Serbezova graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy of MU-Sofia in 1996.

She added that we are going through difficult times and the prices of a number of resources have gone up and factories are operating at a loss.

"60 medicines were included in the weekly list of the Ministry of Health and are prohibited for export.

Everything should be based on facts and not on dislike of the predecessor.

It must be seen whether this system is adequate for Bulgaria and implemented," the former health minister added.


Asena Serbezova

shortage of medicines