site.btaCommission for Consumer Protection, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Begin Joint Inspections Over Rising Medicine Prices

The Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) have launched joint inspections following numerous reports of rising medicine prices, CCP member Tsvetislava Lakova told journalists on Thursday, ahead of an inspection at a pharmacy in Sofia.

The specific inspection follows a report from an elderly citizen claiming that a medication for high blood pressure has increased in price by one-third since January 1. 

"We started the inspections through the CCP's price monitoring platform. So far, we have conducted 84 checks there and found only minor price increases, 2 to 3 stotinki. However, due to numerous complaints concerning physical pharmacies, we launched joint inspections with BFSA,” Lakova said. The checks cover dual price labeling, correct currency conversion, and increases in the cost of medicinal products for customers.

Lakova noted that both CCP and BFSA have received reports of violations involving dietary supplements and baby and children’s foods.

According to her, no pharmacy has yet been issued a penalty, as administrative inspections are ongoing. Traders have five working days to provide the requested documents to the control authorities. She added that if a problem is identified along the supply chain, CCP will alert the National Revenue Agency.

Lakova said that justified price increases are related to rising supply costs, rents, wages, and electricity.

She added that, so far, the most drastic price hikes have been recorded in parking lots and garages, with some increases reaching 100%.