ASSESSING THE READINESS OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING CANNABIDIOL PRODUCTS IN BULGARIA
ASSESSING THE READINESS OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING CANNABIDIOL PRODUCTS IN BULGARIA

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes, level of awareness, and readiness of healthcare professionals in Bulgaria to prescribe and dispense cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products, as well as to identify the main barriers to their implementation in clinical practice. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period among 54 healthcare professionals in Bulgaria. The participants included physicians, pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and dentists from urban, small-town, and rural settings. Demographic and professional characteristics were collected, and respondents’ perceptions regarding the safety, efficacy, regulation, and clinical applicability of CBD products were analyzed. Most respondents demonstrated a moderately positive but cautious attitude toward the therapeutic use of CBD. Participants generally considered CBD to have a favorable safety profile and recognized its potential role in symptom management, particularly in chronic pain and anxiety associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, a substantial proportion of healthcare professionals reported insufficient confidence in the available clinical evidence supporting widespread therapeutic use. The absence of clear national regulations, standardized prescribing protocols, dosing recommendations, and quality control mechanisms was identified as a major obstacle to routine implementation. Correlation analysis revealed that respondents with higher levels of knowledge and awareness were more likely to recommend CBD products in clinical practice. CBD is increasingly recognized by healthcare professionals as a promising therapeutic option with potential clinical benefits and acceptable tolerability. Nevertheless, its integration into routine medical practice in Bulgaria remains limited due to insufficient clinical evidence for certain indications, lack of regulatory clarity, absence of national clinical guidelines, and inadequate professional training. To support the responsible implementation of CBD-containing products in healthcare practice, it is necessary to establish national regulatory frameworks and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Additional professional education and training programs should be developed to improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge regarding indications, dosing, drug interactions, monitoring, and safety assessment. Standardization and quality assurance of CBD products are also strongly recommended. Among the 54 participants, 81.5% worked in a large regional city, 13.0% in small towns, and 5.6% in rural areas. Women represented 61.1% of respondents, while men accounted for 38.9%. The largest age group was 41–50 years (46.3%). Physicians constituted 42.6% of participants, followed by pharmacists (25.9%), assistant pharmacists (16.7%), and dentists (14.8%).

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