The European integration and human rights association in Bulgaria deposited a request in the Supreme Administrative Court to start legal procedures against the Health Ministry for discrimination of women suffering from breast cancer.

According to the proposed changes in healthcare regulations, the Health Ministry would allocate no funds for the treatment of women over 35 suffering from breast cancer. Older women would be refused free treatment with Zoladex, one of the more expensive and efficient medicines fighting the disease, and would be subjected to surgical procedures.

Attorney Katina Boncheva from the association signalled to the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination, Darik Radio reported. Boncheva said that the Health Ministry was clearly differentiating between patients depending on their age.

Kemal Eyup from the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination said that the organisation would take all necessary steps to investigate the case. He added that it would request an expert analysis whether the restriction was required by some specific substance used in the medicine.