INTRODUCTION: By introducing electronic prescribing in December 2020, Bulgaria took a major step towards the digitalization of healthcare in the country. The regulatory framework was swiftly changed which resulted in little time for testing and implementing the e-prescription system.
AIM: This study aims to explore the awareness, preparedness and attitudes of pharmacists towards the innovation prior to its mandatory launch.
МATERIALS AND METHODS: A sociological method was used: a face-to-face anonymous survey among pharmacists in the region of Varna, utilizing paper questionnaires.
RESULTS: The results showed the respondents’ positive attitudes and well equipped pharmacies. However, a number of challenges were also identified, such as insufficient information and trainings, a short trial period leading to concerns and lack of confidence in community pharmacists.
CONCLUSION: The functioning e-healthcare system is a priority goal of healthcare development in Bulgaria. The introduction of the electronic prescription is an important step for the future digital transition in our country. Despite pharmacists’ positive attitudes towards the innovations and the expectations that it would enhance medical care, we should note that at the start of the project the focus was more on technological performance and not on staff training. Trainings, time and experience are needed to build an effective functioning system in support of professionals and society.
Communication from the Commission to the EU Parliament, The Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Mid-Term Review on the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ resource.html?uri=cellar:a4215207-362b-11e7-a08e-01aa75ed71a1.0012.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
Concept “Objectives for Health 2020”, Sofia. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria; 2015. Available from: https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2015/10/29/kontseptsiya-tseli-za-zdrave-2020_eng.doc
Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:088:0045:0065:en:PDF
E-health Infrastructure. Available from: http://ebox.nbu.bg/medteach/ne15/00.eHealthcare.pdf
European Commission. eHealth: Digital health and care. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ehealth/overview_en
Tateeda – E-Prescription Software. Available from: Development: https://tateeda.com/
The Digital Economy and Society Index - DESI2020. Available from: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/desi
Nikolova V. Dimensions and indicators of quality of health care used for healthcare systems’performance assessment 2020. Health Econ Manag. 2020;20(1):27-35. (in Bulgarian). doi: 10.14748/hem.v20i1.7672
Bogdanova K. Main aspects in healthcare management; 2019. p. 112. Available from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344818833_Kamelia_Bogdanova_OSNOVNI_ASPEKTI_V_UPRAVLENIETO_NA_ZDRAVNITE_GRIZI
Data regarding patients’ access to medicinal products including those fully or partially reimbursed by the NHIF. Available from:https://www.mh.government.bg/bg/novini/aktualno/informaciya-otnosno-dostpa-na-pacientite-do-lekars/
E-governance Development Strategy in the Republic of Bulgaria 2014–2020. Available from:https://www.mtitc.government.bg/sites/default/files/uploads/pdf/e_governance_strategy.pdf
Health 2020. A European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/199532/Health2020-Long.pdf
Health Act. Prom. SG 70/10 Aug. 2004, in force from 01.01.2005, suppl. SG 21/12 March 2021.
Medicinal products in Human Medicine Act. Prom. SG 31/13 Apr. 2007 in force from 13.04.2007, amen. and suppl. SG 105/11 Dec. 2020
National Health Strategy 2020. Available from: https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2016/09/12/nzs_2020.pdf
Functional specification on servicing the process of issuance and processing of electronic prescriptions in NHIS. Available from: https://his.bg/bg/dev/specifications"
Instruction for dispensing medicinal products from the National Health Insurance Fund. RD-16-5/10.02.2021. Available from: https://www.nhif.bg/bg/medicine_food/drugstores
Ordinance № 4 of 4.03.2009 on the terms and conditions for prescribing and dispensing of medicines Prom. SG 21/20th March 2009, amen. in SG 107/18.12. 2020
Ministry of Health. Available from: https://www.mh.government.bg/bg/
National Health Information System. Available from: https://his.bg/
Galeva S. The electronic prescription – an analysis of the opportunities for its implementation in Bulgaria. Dissertation. Sofia; 2019.
Galeva S, Belcheva V, Grigorov E, Electronic prescription of recipes and models for transfer and data exchange in them. Soc Med. 2019;27(1):40-5. (in Bulgarian). doi: 10.14748/sm.v0i1.6463.
Getova V. Regulatory and practical aspects of pharmacovigilance and practical aspects of patients’ participation in monitoring pharmacovigilance. Dissertation. Plovdiv; 2019.
Kachulev K. The impact of macro-level healthcare decisions on the individual patient. Dissertation. Sofia; 2018.