Special criteria for hospitals prescribing the most expensive drugs

2010-02-09

The Bulgarian Health Ministry has introduced special criteria which have to be met by hospitals which prescribe the most expensive drugs. This refers to drugs reimbursed under Ministerial Ordinance 34 for rare and infectious diseases. The criteria include a requirement for the hospital to have a functioning hospital pharmacy and an accreditation status of “excellent” or “very good”.
At present, 150 hospitals in Bulgaria prescribe the drugs which are subject to Ordinance 34.
The hospitals have to register under the new criteria until 15 February. Whereas the Ministry claims that these measures will ensure a better quality of service, patients fear that their access to life-saving drugs will be rendered more difficult.