The end of pharmacy hopping: How a Bulgarian platform connects patients with 4,000 locations across the country

Searching for a specific medication often turns the daily lives of Bulgarian patients into an exhausting cycle of hopping from pharmacy to pharmacy. This challenge found its technological solution in the Bulgarian project 'My Pharmacies' – a platform that aggregates information for nearly 4,000 pharmacies across the country.

In an interview with Money.bg, the project's creator, Vladimir Gyurov, revealed that the idea was born from personal experience and was developed entirely for the specifics of the Bulgarian market. The system not only shows product availability but also allows users to compare prices, check if a specific medication is covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and even read difficult-to-decipher prescriptions via a photo.

Independence from commercial chains
One of Gyurov's key promises is the platform's complete independence. Although it is open to partnerships with pharmacy chains, he emphasizes that he categorically refuses financial incentives to "artificially" boost results in the rankings. "My goal is for the platform to be as social as possible – transparent and honest with the user. The ranking serves the patient, not the one who pays the most," he states.

Technological innovations and accessibility
The platform uses automated systems for data updates, ensuring that information regarding prices and availability is as close to real-time as possible. An interesting feature is text recognition, which helps in deciphering "doctor's handwriting" on paper prescriptions, while simultaneously adhering to strict personal data protection rules.

The project covers not only large cities but also small settlements, providing information where choices are most limited. Gyurov emphasizes that he has also implemented principles of inclusivity, as the platform is designed for visually impaired users and is optimized for multiple languages.

The future of the project
While the core search functions will remain free forever, the developer is considering opportunities for sustainable development through premium features (such as a digital first-aid kit) and providing anonymized market analytics for the industry. The main focus remains on facilitating the patient's journey and maintaining high standards for security and legal compliance.