Medical laboratory services in Bulgaria could become more expensive, with a potential price increase of around 10%, according to Dr. Nedyalko Kalachev, owner of a chain of laboratories. He explained that rising costs of raw materials and consumables, many of which are tied to global oil prices, are putting pressure on the sector, as these inputs account for roughly 35% of total laboratory expenses.
Kalachev noted that delivery prices for a wide range of medical consumables have been increasing steadily. He emphasized that even routine materials, including plastic components widely used in laboratory work, are directly affected by fluctuations in oil prices. As a result, procedures such as blood sampling and other diagnostic tests are becoming more expensive to perform.
He also pointed out the scale of laboratory activity in the country, estimating that between 12 and 15 million samples are processed annually, with an average of about 2.5 test tubes used per sample. In addition to plastics and disposables, steel-based instruments such as needles, along with higher disinfection costs, are also contributing to rising overall expenses.
According to Kalachev, smaller laboratories may be particularly vulnerable under current conditions. He warned that many of them could struggle to balance operational costs with revenues, including expenses for essential materials and staff wages, potentially putting their sustainability at risk.
