Medicines & prescriptions
How medicines are priced and prescribed in Bulgaria, and where to verify a price yourself. Prescription drugs have a state-set maximum price — pharmacies may charge less, never more.
Look up a price
Live data from the НСЦРЛП register of approved prices. Prices are state-set maxima in EUR — pharmacies may charge less, never more.
Prescription vs over-the-counter
Medicines that need a prescription (рецепта) start with a doctor — your GP for most things, a specialist after a referral. Basics like paracetamol or ibuprofen are over-the-counter but pharmacy-only: look for the green cross sign (аптека), not the supermarket aisle.
How prices work
For prescription medicines the state sets a maximum price in the national register, maintained by the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products (НСЦРЛП). A pharmacy can't charge above it, and many charge less. Over-the-counter prices are set freely by each pharmacy, so they vary — worth comparing for regular purchases.
Verify a price yourself
All three official sources are free and public:
Practicalities
In Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bansko, pharmacists usually speak enough English for common requests. 24-hour duty pharmacies (дежурна аптека) are listed on any pharmacy's door and online. Bring your prescription or a photo of it, and keep the receipt — you need it for returns.
Find a pharmacy near you