Many Bulgarian citizens have recently flocked to the Turkish border city of Edirne to buy medicine, reports the Turkish site Haberler, quoted by BTA.
Due to the depreciation of the Turkish lira in the last month, it is much more profitable for Bulgarians to buy a number of medicines from Turkey, the site notes. Medicines are cheaper for Bulgarians even with the increased VAT on medicines from 8 to 10 percent.
Bulgarian citizens tell Haberler that most medicines in Turkey are cheaper and they come to Edirne not only to shop for groceries, but also to stock up on medicines. The publication published photos showing queues in front of pharmacies in the city.
Meanwhile pharmacy owners say they are satisfied with the large number of clients from Bulgaria.
Bulgarian citizens can buy any medicine that is sold without a prescription.
They mostly buy medicines against flu, pain relievers, paracetamol, medicines to treat high blood pressure and to thin the blood. “They say that especially the drugs to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol are too expensive for them in their country, so they buy them here.”pointed out pharmacist Ibrahim Ai.
After the Central Bank of Turkey announced an increase in the main interest rate from 8.5 to 15 percent on June 22, the Turkish national currency began to depreciate again.
Yesterday, the Turkish lira fell to a record low amid the situation surrounding Moscow’s decision to suspend its participation in the grain export agreement from Ukrainian ports.
The lira was trading at 26.31 per US dollar.
