site.btaExport Ban on Insulins and Other Critical Medicines Extended

The period of the export ban on certain insulins and other medicines has been extended, while the ban on the export of antibiotics has been lifted. This is stated in an order by the caretaker Minister of Health, Michail Okoliyski, published on his ministry's website on Tuesday. The provisions of the order are in effect until May 26.

The export of medicines from the pharmacological groups “Insulins and analogues,” “Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors,” “Aminosalicylic acid and related agents,” “Other drugs affecting bone structure and mineralization,” and “Other anti-anaemic preparations” is prohibited. The medicines are specified in detail by both trade names and international non-proprietary names in the order.

The medicinal products subject to the export ban are intended for the treatment of diabetes, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, osteoporosis, kidney failure, and certain types of anaemia. These are socially significant chronic conditions which, if treatment is interrupted, can lead to severe complications and health impairments. Lack of therapy for these diseases would result in a significant increase in hospitalizations, which in turn would place an extraordinary burden on hospital care as a sector of the healthcare system, the motives for the export ban note.

The period of the export ban on insulins and their analogues has been extended once again, with the first ban having been imposed in November 2023.