Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Ombudsman urges Health Ministry to make a list of medicines affecting drug test results

Diana Kovacheva
Photo: BGNES

Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva has submitted a recommendation to the Ministry of Health to publish a list of medications which give a false positive on drug tests for drivers.  

Prof. Kovacheva cites as her motive the fact that taking medicines from several pharmacological groups could affect the result of a drug test. The Ombudsman points out that even small concentrations of these medicines could bear a resemblance to banned narcotic substances, and that this is public knowledge. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic medicines, as well as anti-depressants and other over-the-counter medications are all medicines of this kind. Ombudsman Kovacheva says that when a driver is given a drug test on the road, this means equating someone who has taken cough medicine with someone who has deliberately taken a narcotic substance. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Solemn ceremonies across Bulgaria will pay homage to Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski

A commemorative ceremony today in the center of Sofia will mark the 152nd anniversary of the death of Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski. The solemn ceremony in front of the Monument to the Apostle of Freedom will begin at 6:00 p.m. Citizens will..

published on 2/19/25 5:35 AM

Cold weather expected on Wednesday, temperatures continue to drop

On Wednesday, the lowest temperatures will range between minus 8°C and minus 3°C, for Sofia around minus 7°C . During the day, snow showers in the northeastern regions will begin to stop, but in southeastern Bulgaria it will still snow in many places...

published on 2/18/25 7:05 PM
Susan Falatko

Susan Falatko will assume the role of Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy in Sofia

Career Foreign Service Officer Susan Falatko has arrived in Sofia on February 18 to assume the role of Chargé d’Affaires. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Falatko’s service includes assignments as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at the..

published on 2/18/25 6:54 PM