Electronic healthcare in Bulgaria

Electronic healthcare in Bulgaria

Oral presentation

Nasie Asipova1, Milena Tsoneva1, Iva Kalugerova1, Sabrina Asipova
1National Health Insurance Fund

As of 01.06.2021, started the process of compulsory prescribing and dispensing of medicinal products, paid completely or in part by the NHIF through electronic prescriptions. The electronisation and digitalization of public services related to the provision of the population of medicinal products (MP), medical devices (MD) and dietary foods for special medical purposes (DFSMP) are launched. Aim: To analyze the regulatory framework that regulates the electronic processes for prescribing and dispensing MP, MD and DFSMP, paid by the NHIF; to present the stages in the development of digitalization; to visualize the practical side of the processes; to present the advantages and disadvantages and new challenges over the medical specialists included in the processes - doctors and pharmacists. Materials and methods: We used documentary analysis and analysis of the content of normative documents. We analyzed accumulated data from the NHIF databases to demonstrate the results of one year of experience. Results and discussion: Electronisation and digitalization facilitates the prescribing and dispensing of products related to the health of the population, reduces service time, reduces work errors, saves time and effort of patients, leads to better accountability and management of available products, contribute to рeasonable budget management. In national level - will lead to rationalization of drug use and medicinal usability. The accumulated one year experience shows that the electronisation of the prescribing and dispensing processes of the MP, MD and DFSMP has no alternative. Successful introduction of the "electronic recipe" can only be guaranteed if all stakeholders - NHIF, BMA, BPhU and MH - join for the benefit of patients.
Keywords: electronic healthcare, e-prescription, e-recipe book, medicinal products, prescribing, dispensing, NHIF