Pharmacists: "Anti-Speculation" Law Could Remove Over-the-Counter Medicines from Pharmacies

There is a significant risk that some over-the-counter medicines could disappear from the pharmacy network if the proposed changes to the so-called “Anti-Speculation” law are adopted. The Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union warns of this, stating that the new rules could force pharmacies to sell medications at a loss.

Concerns are related to the provisions that mandate returning medicine prices to their levels as of December 2, 2024. According to pharmacists, many pharmacies have already purchased OTC medicines at higher prices and, upon the introduction of the new restrictions, would be forced to sell them below cost.

According to industry data, about one-third of over-the-counter medicines have increased in price over the past year with explicit state approval through the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement. This involves over 500 medicinal products.

“In this day and age, no one can afford to operate at a loss. If pharmacies are forced to sell at prices lower than those at which they purchased the medications, they will simply stop dispensing them,” stated Dimitar Marinov, President of the Pharmaceutical Union, to bTV.

According to him, such a development would also lead to a halt in deliveries from wholesalers, which would create a real shortage for patients. Marinov emphasized that all price increases were carried out with state approval and described the proposed legislative changes as populist and difficult to implement in practice.

The professional organization reminds that over-the-counter medicines cover a wide range of products—from cold and fever medications to painkillers and antipyretics.

Pharmacists confirm that they currently hold significant stocks of such medicines. “If the law is passed, we will be forced to stop selling them because the losses would be serious,” commented pharmacist Stefan Minkov.

The Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union insists that the bill should not be passed on second reading and emphasizes that for any change affecting medicines, pharmacies, and pharmacists, the industry’s opinion must be sought. Among their proposals is the introduction of price caps not only for patients but also for wholesalers, so that pharmacies have an economic incentive to maintain stock and patients do not lose access to essential medications.