The Association for the Development of Bulgarian Healthcare (ADBH) announced on Friday that it will file a complaint with the Commission for Protection against Discrimination on Monday. The complaint targets the Bulgarian Medical Association and the National Health Insurance Fund regarding their refusal to incorporate financing for biomarker diagnostics into the National Framework Contract. Biomarkers are critical in determining which medications are effective against specific types of cancer or metastasis.
The ADBH stated that without such testing, patients are limited to older, basic therapies that can be poorly tolerated and less effective. Currently, Bulgaria is the sole European Union nation where patients must cover the costs of biomarker diagnostics out-of-pocket, with expenses ranging from EUR 500 to EUR 2,500. In its formal complaint, the association seeks a ruling of discrimination against cancer patients and requests that state authorities be mandated to rectify the situation.
The patient organization has urged individuals who have personally financed biomarker testing to contact the association so their cases can be incorporated into future actions aimed at protecting their rights, including seeking compensation for damages. The issue stems from a change in funding allocation. While funds for biomarker diagnostics were allocated in the National Health Insurance Fund’s 2026 budget, an amendment adopted during the second reading relocated these funds from the medical services budget line to the medical devices budget line.
The association believes this action constitutes discrimination and seeks systemic change.
Topics: #association #discrimination #biomarker
