Pharmaceutical companies must finalize changes to the NHIF Mechanism by the end of November

Pharmaceutical companies must finalize the agreements regarding the NHIF Mechanism by the end of November. The Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM), the Bulgarian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (BGPharmA), and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) have reached an agreement regarding the discounts that pharmaceutical companies owe to the Fund. This was reported by Zdrave.net, citing the transcript from the NHIF Supervisory Board meeting held on September 9.

Regarding the Mechanism for Budget Predictability and Sustainability, it has been agreed that changes will be made by the end of December, Zdrave.net informs.

The Deputy Minister of Finance and member of the Supervisory Board, Kiril Ananiev, has proposed changes to the method of drug financing. The Deputy Governor of the NHIF, Prof. Momchil Mavrov, explained that in the draft amendments to Ordinance No. 10, the mandatory discount of 10% has already been increased to 15%, with provisions for even larger discounts if projected costs are exceeded. “We have optimally expanded the scope and size of the discounts,” he stated.

Issues related to unregistered products imported under a special procedure were also discussed, as well as the possibility of advance payment of discounts for the fourth quarter of 2025. According to Prof. Mavrov and members of the Supervisory Board, this must be carefully analyzed and an agreement must be reached with the companies to avoid risks.

“It must be verified whether such a practice has been applied before, whether it is possible, and whether companies would be willing to sign annexes to the contracts,” commented Evgeni Tasovski, Chairman of BGPharmA and member of the Supervisory Board, as quoted by Zdrave.net.

The Supervisory Board has instructed the Governor of the NHIF to propose a new algorithm for calculating overruns and amounts due under the Mechanism within two weeks after the adoption of the 2026 Budget Act.

The full text of the transcript can be viewed here.