Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription?
No — antibiotics are dispensed only on an electronic prescription. For years, roughly half of all antibiotics in Bulgaria were sold without a doctor's prescription. That has now stopped: antibiotics (and diabetes medicines) are dispensed solely against an electronic prescription, issued by a doctor and recorded in the national system. The aim is twofold — to end stockpiling and, more importantly, to curb antibiotic resistance, on which Bulgaria is among the worst affected in the EU. A pharmacy that dispenses an antibiotic without a prescription is fined BGN 15,000 to 20,000 — and the pharmacist also faces disciplinary proceedings. Prescription medicines cannot be sold online either — only over-the-counter products may be.
📋 The rules
- Antibiotics — only on an electronic prescription
- The same applies to diabetes medicines
- Fine for the pharmacy: BGN 15,000–20,000
- The pharmacist also faces disciplinary liability
- Prescription medicines are not sold online
🔓 Exceptions
- Over-the-counter medicines are sold freely, including online by a licensed pharmacy
- Drugstores may sell only certain over-the-counter products
- An electronic prescription can be filled at any pharmacy — you are not tied to one
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The sanction falls on the pharmacy: BGN 15,000 to 20,000 for a first offence and more on a repeat — penalties ten times what they used to be. For you, the cost is different and dearer. Self-medicating with antibiotics is also medically pointless: viral infections — flu, a common cold — are not treated by antibiotics, and misuse breeds resistant bacteria against which nothing then works. Be wary of the internet too: selling prescription medicines online is prohibited, and sites that offer them are trading in unverified or counterfeit product.
📎 Official sources
- Bulgarian Drug Agency →
- Ministry of Health · Information on antibiotics →
- lex.bg · Medicinal Products in Human Medicine Act →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription?
No. Antibiotics are dispensed only against an electronic prescription issued by a doctor. The same rule applies to medicines for diabetes.
What is the fine for the pharmacy?
BGN 15,000 to 20,000 for dispensing an antibiotic without a prescription, and more on a repeat offence. The pharmacist also faces disciplinary liability.
Can I order medicines online?
Only over-the-counter ones, and only from a pharmacy licensed for online sales. Selling prescription-only medicines over the internet is prohibited.
Why does it matter?
Because of antibiotic resistance. Viral infections are not treated by antibiotics, and misuse breeds bacteria against which nothing subsequently works.
Can I use the prescription at another pharmacy?
Yes. An electronic prescription is recorded in the national system and can be filled at any pharmacy — you are not tied to the one that issued it.
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