Balgarianovinite.com The European Union must ensure that it has critical medicines in stock, and the task is to restore the production of life-saving medicines on its own territory, Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin (Bulgarian Socialist Party / Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) said on BTA’s EU Lex BG podcast regarding the upcoming Critical Medicines Act.
Vigenin also commented on other strategic European regulations and initiatives in healthcare under the EU4Health program 2021–2027. These include the European Health Data Space Regulation, the Biotech Act 1, the European Cancer Plan, and the recently proposed EU Safe Hearts Plan for cardiovascular health. Other topics discussed included the legislative packages aimed at reducing administrative burdens in the EU (Omnibus), as well as the debate on a “two-speed Europe.” In the podcast EU Lex BG, BTA speaks with Bulgarian MEPs about European legislation and how it is applied in Bulgaria.
The European law on critical medicines is expected to be adopted this year, as it should not be delayed, Vigenin noted. The regulation is primarily a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Bulgarian MEP also cited wars currently taking place as another example of an emergency situation. According to him, the EU must be able to respond immediately with the necessary medicines in the event of a new pandemic or natural disaster. Under the new regulation, the pharmaceutical industry will receive support, and Vigenin expressed hope that Bulgaria’s domestic pharmaceutical industry, where the country has a strong tradition, will benefit.
“In the European Union, the production of antibiotics has practically almost ceased. We import most of the antibiotics we use from outside,” the MEP added. According to Vigenin, efforts should focus on the development of new and more effective antibiotics, because microbes have already developed resistance to existing drugs, which no longer provide the desired effect in treating diseases.
A possible solution could come from the new European Biotech Act, which aims not only to promote scientific research within the EU but also to translate it into practical, working solutions. “It turns out that the EU still leads in terms of theoretical developments and scientific research. Our main problem, however, is how this research is then developed into business and concrete applications that can be implemented in everyday life,” Vigenin concluded.
Kristian Vigenin also commented on the issue of so-called “health deserts” in the EU – areas where access to medical care and medicines is severely limited. He noted that certain regions in Bulgaria increasingly resemble this profile. According to the Bulgarian MEP, health policy within the Union remains primarily national, and it is difficult to bypass this. In his view, a realistic way to address this problem is through digital technologies, including telemedicine.
“First, I believe that despite resistance, we need to reach a point where not only over-the-counter medicines but also prescription medicines can be ordered online and delivered, meaning that an elderly person does not have to travel 20–30 km to a pharmacy to buy medication; the pharmacy should be able to deliver it after it is ordered online,” Vigenin said.
He also called for fast implementation of online consultations with doctors. “I meet more and more people, especially in these remote areas, but not only there, who are already relying on artificial intelligence for medical advice, which I consider very dangerous. In many places, people currently have no other option but to ask AI. They should have the same easy access to a real doctor who can give them proper guidance,” Vigenin argued.
Regarding the renewed discussion about the idea of a “two-speed Europe”, Vigenin said that in Bulgaria there is a clear understanding that such a division should not be allowed. According to him, in terms of absolute income, Bulgaria is still at the bottom of the EU, and it will take time to catch up. However, in other areas where the country has long been trailing – such as science and research, the role of women in these fields, and education-related issues – Bulgaria seems to be gradually taking its proper place. Vigenin expressed hope that the upcoming elections will end political instability in Bulgaria and allow the country to establish itself at the European average across all sectors, a direction it is steadily moving toward.
The EU4Health program was created under Regulation (EU) 2021/522, adding value for the EU and complementing the policies of member states to achieve common health goals. MEP Kristian Vigenin: We’ll Bring Production of Critical Medicines Back to EU 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-03-11 08:30:31 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law