Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Dangerous fireworks withdrawn from the market

Five models of fireworks are being recalled from the market due to the risk of burns and damage to eyesight when ignited or burned.  A statement from the online platform "We, the Consumers" states that the models do not meet the requirements of the..

published on 12/28/24 5:35 PM

Avalanche warning in the mountains

Despite good conditions for ski tourism in the mountains, there is a risk of avalanches due to the heavy snow.  The Association for Freestyle and Extreme Skiing warns that among the most dangerous areas are the northern slopes of the Stara Planina,..

published on 12/28/24 5:05 PM

Thousands of children – refugees from military conflicts have sought asylum in Bulgaria

Due to military conflicts, four thousand children from Syria, Afghanistan and Morocco sought protection in Bulgaria in 2024 . The data is from a UNICEF report, according to which 2024 was "one of the most devastating for children in conflict..

published on 12/28/24 4:35 PM