Whether you are visiting Bulgaria for a short vacation or planning to move here if you regularly take medicines you need to read this article carefully.
Are you planning to take the medication with you to Bulgaria?
If the answer is Yes, For some medicines – like sleeping pills, or medication containing opium derivates, and strong painkillers – you need a medical prescription, get it from your doctor before traveling to Bulgaria.
For Over The Counter Medicines each country has its list, and this is the one for Bulgaria, and you should check it before departure which of your most commonly used medicines will be available in Bulgaria.
We strongly advise you:
Make sure you carry them in the original packaging. That way will make it clear that they are medicines and not illicit drugs. Make your way through customs more easily. Be sure your pills and liquid meds stay in their original, labeled containers.
Be safe and carry the drug leaflet, a copy of the prescription and the doctor’s instructions translated into the Bulgarian language.
It will be of great help if you travel with your Medication passport (also known as the European Medical Passport). The medication passport lists all the medicines you use or are allergic. This is useful if you visit a pharmacy or doctor abroad. Ask your pharmacy or your doctor to prepare the passport for you.
Take a copy of the prescription along. Also bring a letter from your doctor explaining your condition, especially if you’re taking the medicine you inject or a controlled substance such as painkillers. Even valid for needles, syringes, and oxygen tanks, too.
Check the Law
Just because a medication is legal in your country doesn’t mean it’s allowed in Bulgaria. Before you go abroad, check with your embassy at your destination to make sure.
Manage Your Supplies
Make sure you have enough meds to get through the whole trip. It’s a good idea to bring an additional 2-week supply if you stay longer than expected.
In case you need a refill while you’re away, write down the generic name of the medicine. Brand names may be different in other countries. Sometimes, drugs with the same brand name could contain different ingredients.
Anticipate common problems if you travel to Schengen area
The Schengen certificate is meant to strike a balance between the fight against illicit trafficking and the diversion of medicinal products and the free movement of patients. The 30 days validity time limit for the Schengen Certificate was deemed appropriate by the Member States to ensure that medication carried over by the patient remains for his use.
The Schengen States have adopted such a certificate, which are issued to people resident on their territory who want to travel to another Schengen State and who, owing to a medical prescription, need to take narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances during this period. The certificate shall be valid for a maximum period of 30 days. It shall be issued or authenticated by the competent authorities from a medical prescription.
