Affiliations: [a] Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria | [b] General Practitioner, Plovdiv, Bulgaria | [c] Department of Nursing, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria | [d] Department of Urology and General Medicine, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Rumyana Stoyanova, Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Tel.: +3598 99936048' E-mail:rumi_stoqnova@abv.bg
Abstract: ``Drug regulation" is the internationally accepted term for the set of
activities designed to provide the public with qualitative, efficient and
safe medications. In Bulgaria, a number of laws and regulations are in
place. The primary tool for providing the chronically ill with medications
is the so called positive medication list. The aim of this study was to
describe the positive and negative aspects of the acting drug regulation
model. Materials and Methods: A form was constructed with information for
conducting the focus groups and included a written informed consent. The
selection of the participants was performed by providers and users of
medical care. The audio recordings were transcribed, and three step analyses
were performed. Results: The focus group discussions included two main
topics - the policies for medication reimbursement for the chronically ill
and the expense of medications. As a whole, the system was determined to be
extremely bureaucratic. One of the most important limitations of the current
model is the lack of individualization for treating particular patients with
a chronic disease. Conclusions: The general attitude of the participants was
that there are multiple disadvantages of the current policy for providing
medications to the chronically ill and that change is necessary.
Keywords: Drug policy, reimbursement, chronically ill, focus group
