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Once again, Tchaikapharma High Quality Medicines participated in the National Conference on Hospital Pharmacy held in Sofia from 18-20 October 2024. The leading Bulgarian manufacturer of complex generics (polypills) presented its new products for the treatment of socially significant diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, impaired metabolic syndrome, angina pectoris, arterial hypertension and heart failure. The stable supply chains established over the years and modern production conditions complying with the highest European standards guarantee continuity of therapeutic intake for Bulgarian and European patients.

The conference, organized by the Bulgarian Association of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacists, was held for the eighteenth consecutive year. It brought together representatives of the leading pharmaceutical companies as well as Master Pharmacists from all over the country.

Tchaikapharma has received marketing authorization for a new medicinal product:

Telmira 60 mg film-coated tablets
Telmira 90 mg film-coated tablets

Telmira contains a medicinal substance called ticagrelor. It belongs to a group of medicines called antithrombotic medicines.

Telmira, given at the same time as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients with:

– acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or

– a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and a high risk of developing an atherothrombotic event.

The medicinal product is available on prescription.
ATC code: B01AC24

The latest medicinal product to receive Marketing Authorisation from the Bulgarian Drug Agency is:

Ferbessa 4 mg/5 mg tablets

Ferbessa 8 mg/5 mg tablets

Ferbessa is a combination of the two active substances: perindopril and amlodipine. Perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor). Amlodipine is a calcium antagonist that belongs to a class of drugs called dihydropyridines.

Together, they help blood vessels to dilate and relax so that blood flows more easily through them and makes it easier for the heart to maintain good blood flow.

Ferbessa is indicated as replacement therapy for the treatment of essential hypertension and/or stable coronary artery disease in patients previously controlled with perindopril and amlodipine taken alternatively at the same dosage. The fixed combination is not suitable for initial treatment.

The medicinal product is available on prescription.

ATC code: C09BB04

mag. pharma. Silvia Patrikova, Director of ‘Pharmaceutical Care’ and Member of the Board of Directors of Tchaikapharma High Quality Medicines

Nearly two years after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global pharmaceutical market is suffering from chaos in supply chains and unpredictable dynamics in demand for individual products. It is difficult to guarantee patients access to their prescribed therapy. Our country is also in the grip of these trends. News of missing medicines in pharmacies and hospitals has become a daily occurrence. In these conditions of market stress, Tchaikapharma High Quality Medicines (Tchaikapharma), formerly known as ‘High Quality Medicines Available to Everyone’, has been able to preserve its critical supply lines and secure new avenues to maintain a continuous and seamless manufacturing process.

This ensured availability and achieved continuity of therapeutic intake for all our patients. The high class of guaranteed pharmaceutical care has given their physicians new confidence that they can continue to rely on Tchaikapharma, which they know well, as a trusted manufacturer and partner in their daily choice of complex generic medicines. Compounded medications (complex generics) are “the future of pharmaceutical care,” as former FDA Director General – Scott Gottlieb used to say. In these, two or three drugs with complementary therapeutic effects are combined into a single dosage form, guaranteeing the duration of the prescribed therapy and optimising costs for both public resources and patients.

At the height of the pandemic, Tchaikapharma was “in the eye of the storm” especially when, in moments of desperation, the state had no alternative supplier of antibiotics for hospital intensive care units and foreign manufacturers were locked in the selfish grip of their governments. The lives of thousands of patients were saved thanks to our continuous work, seven days a week, for 5 months – and the entire management of the leading Bulgarian manufacturer was constantly engaged in ensuring production and patient access to the necessary therapy.

We don’t get giddy about the prestige gained over the years or the new successes – the focus is always on the upcoming projects. Tchaikapharma’s highly recognizable brand, goodwill and reputation oblige us to seek and provide direct generic and/or therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of socially important diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, impaired metabolic syndrome, angina pectoris, hypertension and heart failure. It is not easy to provide alternatives in a short timeframe to the out-of-stock or limited-availability therapies included in the List of Medicinal Products under Article 217c of the MHPAA generated by the Specialised Electronic System for the Tracking and Analysis of Medicinal Products (CESPA). Of course, stable supply chains ensuring continuity of the manufacturing process gives us the freedom to focus our resources on the development of new pharmaceutical forms. We are constantly working on expanding the therapeutic use of the drugs on the product list, which has been continuously supplemented for the second year with new capsule forms – whose efficacy is widely preferred in the oral group.

Now, Tchaikapharma is fully prepared for the new autumn-winter season, characterized by increased incidence of respiratory viruses and a gradually rising number of new cases of COVID. The Bulgarian pharmaceutical manufacturer has upgraded its antibiotic production infrastructure and successfully implemented new working practices in line with increased clean production standards.

A national leader in widely available generic medicines, our company is preferred by investors and savers and has shown remarkable stability as the market capitalization leader on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange for the eighth consecutive year.

For 22 years at Tchaikapharma I have learned a lot – the key to success is to climb all the “steps” consistently – says Mgr. Pharm. Silvia Patrikova, member of the Board of Directors of Tchaikapharma

Ms. Patrikova, how would you introduce yourself in three sentences?

I graduated in Pharmacy at MU-Sofia and I have a Master’s degree in Public Health and Health Management. Professionally, I am a happy manager – I work in an innovative company, I have a great team and motivating challenges – every day. On a personal note, I am married to my high school sweetheart and I am a proud mother of two kids.

This year will mark 22 years with the company. Do you have any time left to reflect?

I started working for the Commercial League group of companies, of which Tchaikapharma High Quality Medicines Plc is a part, in my student days. I remember how difficult it was in the beginning to combine my full-time pharmacy studies, tough exam sessions and work. At the same time, I felt the benefits the company gave me were purely practical – I had the theoretical knowledge from university but lacked real-world experience. Yes, in these 22 years I have gone through all the “stages” and I believe that it is the experience gained at each stage that is the key to long-term success. I rarely look back, but when I do, I see dynamic development, bold and innovative solutions that have helped us achieve the most important thing – uncompromising quality in our medicines – most of them complex generics (‘polypills’). Over the past decades, Tchaikapharma has become an indispensable part of every Bulgarian family’s home medicine cabinet. It is exciting to be part of it all.

What is it like to be a woman in a leadership role in this business?

Globally, women are slowly but surely making their way to the corporate top – their numbers are growing steadily, but by less than 1% a year. And Bulgaria is no exception to this trend. When it comes to the qualities that a leadership role requires – you cannot be a successful manager and understand the specifics of a business if you do not know it inside and out. All the projects, initiatives, campaigns, public events over the years have brought me a lot of experience, but I never stop learning. I believe that only with new knowledge and constant (self-)improvement you gain trust and respect. People should have something to learn from you!

In developed economies, the biggest companies are public, like Tchaikapharma. It is also the company with the highest market capitalization on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. Do you personally own shares?

Historically, shares are one of the financial instruments with the greatest potential for growth and profit in the long term. Investing in a company you know well, in which you yourself have put a lot of hard work, aspirations and drive, is logical, rational and at the same time – emotionally satisfying. Thus, by contributing to the development of the company, I take care of the development of my own finances.

Do you find that, in addition to being hardworking and persistent, women tend to be more caring and patient? Has being a woman helped you professionally?

Rather, it has helped me. Women are more organised and more multifunctional – we can do well with many activities at once. Also, women are usually more empathetic, while men are often more direct and not always particularly delicate. A good manager should be able to unleash the potential of his team, helping each one to develop his strengths in symbiosis with the capabilities and knowledge of the others, so that together they can achieve the best result. At the same time, the manager must create and maintain a “healthy” atmosphere of trust, teamwork, and satisfaction with daily work, including when there are difficulties or mistakes are made. I think women in business know how to achieve just that – wisdom and balance.

Is it difficult to achieve business-life balance?

Without a doubt, one of the hardest things I deal with on a daily basis is balancing being a good leader and being a good mother and wife. I think that every day is a kind of battle, proving myself on all levels, among colleagues, in contacts with clients, at home, in front of the children, for whom I have to be an example. Nowadays society, and women themselves, expect themselves to be both (at least) successful, beautiful and good mothers – and all this in just 24 hours!

It’s no secret that finding quality labour is becoming increasingly complicated. Are you managing to attract talented young people and how?

The shortage of skilled labour is not only a problem for employers in Bulgaria, but affects most countries in the European Union. Tchaikapharma has one big advantage – the company is well known, modern and dynamic. The turnover is not high, as most of our colleagues feel happy, satisfied and appreciated, and they see prospects for development. Furthermore, I can responsibly say that there is no person who has worked for us and decided to pursue their career path elsewhere who has not been immediately recruited by other companies in the industry. They know that you work hard with us, but you also learn a lot. I am happy that I work with many young people every day and that we develop together. All capable, knowledgeable and ready to succeed girls and boys are always welcome!

You can read the full article here in Bulgarian.