site.btaBan on Insulin Export to Stay in Place in March

Health Minister Hristo Hinkov and Deputy Minister Ilko Getov Tuesday said the ban on insulin export would stay in place until the end of March. It was first introduced for November and December 2023 and was extended twice, until the end of January and February 2024.

"The Health Ministry monitors regularly and thoroughly the problems and processes in the Bulgarian pharmaceutical market. Each decision we make is based on data, checks and evidence," said Getov, adding that even a single complaint about a drug in short supply gives grounds for extending the export ban.

In February, the Regional Health Inspectorates checked 357 pharmacies across the country and found that three types of insulin were supplied irregularly or with delays or were out of stock in nearly two-thirds of the 28 regions.

Bulgarian Drug Agency Executive Director Bogdan Kirilov and  Vladimir Afenliev, head of the Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, Dietetic Foods and Aids Directorate at the National Health Insurance Fund, attended the news conference.