site.btaMinister Kirilov: Health Ministry Is Working to Support Bulgaria's Eurozone Accession

The Ministry of Health continues to work actively and with full transparency in fulfilling the national priorities related to Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone, said Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov during an information meeting in Razgrad on Thursday. The event was part of the National Information Campaign on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria.

He noted that the adoption of the single European currency marks the culmination of a long journey, filled with efforts, challenges, and changes.

According to him, this is undoubtedly a historic step in the development of the country - a new direction that will bring stability, prosperity, and strengthen national authority and confidence.

"The euro not only integrates us into the community of the most prosperous economies. It fulfills a long-standing dream of thousands of Bulgarians for a secure and dignified life, shared by over 400 million citizens of the Old Continent," Minister Kirilov stated.

He emphasized that adopting the official currency of the European Union is a sign of trust and support from EU member states toward Bulgaria. This, according to the Minister, is a huge success and recognition for the Bulgarian people - but also a responsibility to uphold the principles and goals of the Union. Minister Kirilov assured that by adhering to these principles, the Health Ministry remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition of the healthcare system into the euro framework.

"My team and I strive to provide all necessary conditions for the health system to transition smoothly through this process. In the interest of both healthcare professionals and citizens, and in compliance with legal regulations, we are implementing all measures to ensure consumer protection—informing, enabling access, and guaranteeing efficiency," he emphasized.

In this context, Minister Kirilov announced the launch of a special mobile application called Medicine Price, which allows users to view the maximum retail price of medicines in both lev and euro - a ceiling that cannot be exceeded in pharmacies.

"Citizens can be completely confident that the upcoming changes will in no way lead to price speculation," Kirilov said.
"For example, in terms of medicine pricing, we guarantee strict regulation and tight control to prevent unlawful practices leading to unjustified price increases. We’ve developed mechanisms to ensure predictability and cost stability for medicinal products."

He concluded by saying that thanks to these efforts, Bulgaria is fully prepared for the introduction of the euro in the healthcare sector. According to Minister Kirilov, this is an achievement that makes the country proud and a full-fledged member of the broader European family.

The goal of the information campaign is to ensure that key institutions - such as the Ministry of Finance, Bulgarian National Bank, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Consumer Protection Commission, National Revenue Agency, Financial Supervision Commission, National Social Security Institute, and others - provide clear, detailed, and reliable information regarding the main phases and timelines of the euro introduction process.