Discrepancies in the prices of identical medicinal products paid by state hospitals have been identified in an analysis of expenditures for high-cost medications. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Health, Vladimir Afenliev, during a joint press conference with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Stanimir Mihaylov, who also participates as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). <\/p>\n\n
According to them, the analysis reveals several key issues in the management of public funds: non-transparent spending, insufficient accountability from the NHIF to the Ministry of Health, and weak control over drug prices. The data also shows a significant increase in expenditures\u2014from over BGN 112 million in 2024 to nearly BGN 144 million in 2025\u2014with over 55% of the funds under the issued orders directed specifically toward medications. <\/p>\n\n
The identified price differences for identical products are particularly alarming. An analysis of 10 medicinal products for 2025 reveals that for some of them, the differences reach over BGN 100,000 for a single product, and in certain cases, prices vary by up to 16 times. As an example, a medication with the same trade name, concentration, and packaging was cited, purchased by one healthcare facility for BGN 46,000 and by another for a mere BGN 424.70. Similar discrepancies were found in other products, where prices ranged between BGN 23,018 and BGN 64,375. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cIt is our duty to highlight these deviations, analyze them, and take measures,\u201d stated Afenliev, emphasizing that despite formal compliance with public procurement procedures, serious systemic deficits exist that lead to the inefficient spending of public resources.<\/p>\n\n
In response to the findings, audits have already commenced in specific healthcare facilities. Upon their completion, an assessment of the lost benefits to the state will be conducted, Stanimir Mihaylov specified. In parallel, the Ministry of Health is preparing regulatory changes aimed at tightening control. <\/p>\n\n
Among the planned measures is the upgrading of the electronic reporting system, which will allow for real-time tracking of every purchase and delivery of medicines. It is also planned to publish full data on purchased medications\u2014including the International Nonproprietary Name (INN), brand name, unit prices, and quantities\u2014which will enable broader public oversight. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cThe main conclusion is that over the past year, the state has paid several times more for the same medicinal products. Transparency and the responsible spending of public resources are our priority\u2014this is a matter of both financial discipline and fairness to patients,\u201d Afenliev emphasized. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Discrepancies in the prices of identical medicinal products paid by state hospitals have been identified in an analysis of expenditures for high-cost medications. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Health, Vladimir Afenliev, during a joint press conference with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Stanimir Mihaylov, who also participates as the Chairman of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jet_sm_ready_style":"","_jet_sm_style":"","_jet_sm_controls_values":"","_jet_sm_fonts_collection":"","_jet_sm_fonts_links":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[96],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n