The stricter controls on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border are not welcomed by everyone: a resident of Druskininkai has described how illegal drug trading is taking place

Wednesday, Jul 31, 2024

Delfi

Bulgarian drug shortages drive patients to neighboring countries; illegal imports pose health risks.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Bulgarian citizens often become “medicine tourists” traveling to countries like Greece, Turkey, and Serbia due to supply disruptions in Bulgaria, as pharmaceutical companies are not financially motivated to supply drugs at low prices, leading to their export and reduced availability for Bulgarian patients. In Lithuania, importing medicine for personal use is permitted, but limits apply: one person can bring no more than 10 packages at a time or 40 packages per calendar month; exceeding these limits results in seizure. Selling imported medicines is illegal, and police are actively prosecuting illegal drug trade. While some individuals claim to find purer medications from Belarus, experts caution that drug strength is indicated by dosage, and the presence of inactive ingredients is normal, making claims of “purity” misleading. Furthermore, purchasing medicines from unregulated sources poses serious health risks due to unknown quality, potential falsification, or improper storage conditions. While some sources suggest purchasing cheaper alternatives from Poland or Ukraine, customs officials state that personal use with a doctor’s prescription is permissible.

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