India and Bulgaria today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Health & Medicines to usher in a new era of cooperation in health and medicines between the two countries.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad signed the MoU today in New Delhi with the visiting Minister of Health of Bulgaria Dr. Stefan Konstantinov.

Mr. Azad said that each country can learn from the experiences of the other and share best practices and success stories.

The Bulgarian delegation led by President of National Assembly of the
Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva, comprising Members of Parliament from Bulgaria are on an official visit to India till Wednesday at the invitation of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mrs. Meira Kumar.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Mr. Azad elaborated that the MoU between India and Bulgaria would cover issues of Medical services, Public health, Pharmaceuticals; Medical Tourism and Health legislation.

Cooperation between the Contracting Parties may be in the forms of Exchange of medical and scientific information, Participation of scientists in scientific medical activities organized in each country, Short-term exchange of medical personnel or Joint projects on subjects of mutual interest.

The Minister also appraised the visiting delegation of the various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The minister asserted that India is the supplier of generic drugs across the world and has producers of high quality and affordable generic drugs.

Dr. Stefan Konstantinov on his part underscored the importance of training of medical personnel and exchange of scientific information with special attention to areas of prophylactics.

He also said that there is great potential in Bulgaria for developing genetic medicine and e-healthcare with the help of India.