Requirements for therapy modernization
The Association of Patients Active in Healthcare (APAZ) has sent a letter to the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with specific proposals to improve access to treatment and modern technologies for people with diabetes in Bulgaria.
Among the main measures proposed by the organization are increasing the number of test strips covered by the NHIF, expanding access to continuous glucose monitoring systems, and increasing the number of patients who can receive insulin pumps. APAZ insists that sensors should also be provided for patients with type 2 diabetes upon proven medical necessity, emphasizing that modern technologies should be a primary tool for control, rather than a limitedly accessible exception.
The problem of "sanctioning" good control
The patient organization reports a serious problem in the current financing mechanism: improving a patient's medical indicators sometimes leads to a loss of access to effective therapy. According to APAZ, when glycated hemoglobin levels drop, the patient may stop meeting the administrative criteria for a certain treatment, which in some cases leads to additional costs of about 50 euros per month for the patient.
"Such an approach does not encourage good control, but sanctions it," the association points out, adding that decisions should be based on individual condition and medical judgment.
Statistics on technology accessibility
According to NHIF data, the provided technologies have a limited scope. Continuous monitoring sensors are used by 1,577 children and 4,492 adults. For insulin pumps, the scope is even narrower – 16 devices have been provided to adult patients and 13 to minors. APAZ also points out that the current allocation of 150 test strips per quarter does not cover the real needs of patients on insulin treatment.
The organization calls for the creation of a national program for diabetes screening and early detection, optimization of the activities of expert medical commissions, and the initiation of an institutional dialogue between the Ministry of Health, the NHIF, and patient organizations.
Discontinuation of certain insulins
You may also like
- OpenAI integrates health data directly into ChatGPT chats
- Modernization of the National Health Map: Digitalization for Real-Time Needs Tracking Ahead
- Changes to Ordinance 10: Ministry of Health Tightens Control Over Unapproved Medicines
- New Management Personnel Before the Burgas Municipal Council: Three New Medical Facility Managers Proposed
Parallel to these demands, a transition to new medicinal products is necessary. According to information from the NHIF, as of May 31, 2027, the sale of Actrapid Penfill 100 IU/ml, Insulatard Penfill 100 IU/ml, and Mixtard 30 Penfill 100 IU/ml insulins will cease in Bulgaria. By this date, patients using these products must transition to alternative therapy. In this regard, UMBAL Burgas has already begun free consultations for patients using the three types of human insulin whose market availability will be discontinued.