Bulgarian authorities raid dozens of sites over alleged NHIF-funded medicine diversion scheme
Gamed · Friday, 11 September 2026
Why it matters
The case concerns a specific control vulnerability: public insurance reimbursement for expensive medicines allegedly being obtained through fictitious dispensing records before the products leave the country. Its scale—dozens of sites across 12 regions—makes the investigation relevant to how Bulgaria verifies prescriptions, pharmacy sales and the destination of reimbursed medicines; the allegations remain under investigation.
What happened
Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry and State Agency for National Security raided dozens of locations and inspected pharmacies and medicine warehouses across 12 regions in a joint operation targeting alleged fictitious sales of high-cost medicines. Investigators say medicines were recorded as dispensed against prescriptions, reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Fund, and then resold abroad; the authorities describe the suspected losses as substantial but have not provided a figure or announced charges. The operation also involves the NHIF, regional health inspectorates and the Bulgarian Drug Agency, with authorities examining whether the alleged diversion could contribute to shortages of essential medicines in Bulgaria.
Players & places
- Bulgaria
- Bulgarian Ministry of Interior
- State Agency for National Security
- National Health Insurance Fund
- Bulgarian Drug Agency