A controversial Bulgarian businessman, founder of a large low-cost drug store chain, has unexpectedly presented an action plan for a crack down on corruption in medicine trade.
“I am ready to point at those, who can be described as the impudent in this business,” Vesselin Mareshki, owner of the eponymous drugs chain, said a special press conference, referring to the gang, which was arrested in December 2009 on accusations of fraud, tax evasion, prostitution enticement and blackmailing.
“I can propose fast and efficient anti-crisis measures, which will spare some BGN 200 M from the state budget and the citizens only as far as the health care sector is concerned,” said Mareshki, who ran for Varna mayor in 2007, but is currently municipal councilor.
The businessman, best known for the inexplicably low prices of the medicines that his drug stores sell, spelling the death of many smaller pharmacies nearby, proposed that the surplus charge of the wholesalers is cut from 9% to 2 or 3%.
“The reduction will generate between BGN 80-100 M, which can be channeled to hospitals, who are in dire need of money,” Mareshki said, adding that this will make medicines more accessible and allow companies to capitalize on the turnover, rather than the surplus charged on the medicines.
Mareshki announced that he will submit his package of anti-crisis measures to the prime minister and health care minister.
The statement comes a month after Bulgaria's new government pledged to crack down on frauds in the tenders for medicines that the state organizes every year and bring the guilty to justice.
Author: jingsmaboab, 29 Mar 2010 17:04:15
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Yet another "controversial" Bulgarian "tycoon". I see he's a municipal councillor in Varna, too. Any connection with TIM? I think we should be told!
Author: viking, 29 Mar 2010 18:16:11
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
jingsmaboab,
I think this guy is "controversial" because he offers cheaper prices by taking a lesser mark-up and working on a higher volume.
A very normal business practice in the US, but very rare in BG.
I have been to his pharmacies and did not notice a big difference.
Why is everyone considered a mafia or crook if he/she makes a few leva?
Author: DP, 29 Mar 2010 18:29:27
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
"Why is everyone considered a mafia or crook if he/she makes a few leva?"
Viking,
This is one thing that betrays a Bulgarian mentality. It is the idea that every business is a "dalavera" and everybody who makes money is a crook who "si palni gushata" . Can't translate the expression but it is a mantra most believe in. It is something that people can't shake off--the notion/conviction that capitalism is bad. It is not bad though to take money away from an honest person--it is this naive fool's problem. Go figure such a mentality....
Author: viking, 29 Mar 2010 18:47:35
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
DP
It was frustrating many years ago when I was looked upon as fair game in BG because I was a "foreigner". Most Bulgarians felt it was OK to over charge me "because I could afford it".
Seems not as common now and I have told the story before that years ago I tested a gypsy produce seller and he refused to cheat me. I gave him chance after chance and he always charged me the correct amount.
Mayb,e because his name was Doncho?
Author: Bill, 29 Mar 2010 18:54:17
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
DP:
"Go figure such a mentality...."
The Italian equivalent is "Anybody stupid enough to be cheated should be".
The entrance gate to the Roman market said "Caveat Emptor", and nothing's changed in the meantime.
Author: DP, 29 Mar 2010 19:08:59
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Well Viking,
I'll tell you a similar story (I'm in a chatty mood, you know). When we started building our house in BG we bought one of the toilet bowls from a gypsy's business along the Stamboliisky Blvd. in Sofia. A year later we had the big brake-in and everybody knew that the perpetrators were red--blooded Bulgarians but kept telling us that the gypsies did it. Anyway, we went back to the guy in Sofia and got a replacement. Meanwhile, the price has gone a lot (it was that time when prices were going up every day). The guy sold as a new piece for the old price! He wouldn't have it other way.
Author: DP, 29 Mar 2010 19:10:43
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Bill,
Here goes my respect for the Italians/Romans! lol
Author: jingsmaboab, 29 Mar 2010 23:12:57
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
There's more to just "pile 'em high, sell 'em low" in this guy's business tactics:
"Varna municipal councilor Vesselin Mareshki purchased the central post office building in Varna, Dnevnik daily reported on January 7 2010.
According to the daily, Mareshki said he paid 16 million leva to become the owner of "nearly the entire building, including the modern business centre on Vladislav Varnenchik Boulevard."
Mareshki is also owner of a pharmacy chain by the same name."
http://sofiaecho.com/2010/01/07/838891_municipal-councillor-buys-vivacom-building-worth-16m-leva
"9 March 2010 - Bulgarian pharmaceuticals company Actavis has sold its local distributor Higia EAD to a private investor.
The buyer is Rossica Veselinova Velikova, aged 31.
The sale is part of Actavis efforts to focus on its core business - development, production and sale of generic drugs. It will continue to work with its distributor, the company said in a statement.
According to two independent sources the real buyer is Veselin Mareshki, a businessman from Varna, owner of Varnafarm holding, a chain of pharmacies.
When asked by local Dnevnik daily, Mareshki denied the information.
The vertical integration in the pharmaceuticals sector in Bulgaria is forbidden by competition regulations. Thus, Mareshki would not be allowed to buy Higia, but in theory, the deal could be closed through another party. "
http://www1.m2.com/m2/web/story.php/20103EC2CC06C8914E94802576E1002D9BE0
Author: jingsmaboab, 29 Mar 2010 23:21:57
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
More on Mareshki:
http://pharma-adhoc.com/index.php?m=1&id=397
"More than one year ago, Icelandic generics manufacturer Actavis disclaimed rumours about a sale of its Bulgarian wholesale subsidiary Higia as untrue. Now finally the company announced the divestment. For an undisclosed sum, local private investor Rossitsa Veselinova Velikova purchased one of the major wholesalers in the country. Insiders assume, that the real buyer is Veselin Mareshki, the owner of the pharmacy chain Varnapharma."
http://www.pharmapoland.com/next.php?id=83324
"Actavis Bulgaria sells its distribution arm
Higia, the pharmaceutical distributor owned by Actavis Bulgaria, has been sold to a private investor. The new owner is Rosica Veselinova Velikova, a person not known in the Bulgarian pharmaceutical sector. Industry sources have suggested Ms. Velikova is connected to Varnapharma, a major Bulgarian retail pharmacy operator, but any connection has been denied by Varnapharma’s owner, Vesselin Mareshki.
According to IMS Bulgaria, in 2009 Higia was among the top pharmaceutical distributors on the Bulgarian pharmaceutical market with a 20% market share. Plans to sell the company were first announced by Actavis in late 2008."
Author: jingsmaboab, 29 Mar 2010 23:33:21
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Mareshki a go-go:
"The owner of a pharmacy chain in Varna and mayoral candidate, Veselin Mareshki, promised pensioners and the chronically ill cheaper medicines if they voted for him."
from "BUYERS' MARKET
Bulgaria's politicians have stopped rigging elections. Now they just buy the votes
by Dimana Trankova"
http://old.vagabond.bg/?page=business&sub=11&open_news=1468
Author: viking, 29 Mar 2010 23:47:07
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
j-boab
I stand corrected.
This guy sounds like he is really something!
Some of the stuff is expected but some of it is outright crooked!
You should get a job as a reporter for SNA.
Good digging
Don
Author: jingsmaboab, 31 Mar 2010 22:59:31
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Don,
Just look at the guy, fer crissakes. The shifty eyes, convict hairdo, beetle brow. He looks like a crook! If he looks like a crook, acts like a crook, chances are...
Author: NellieotAmerica, 31 Mar 2010 23:09:40
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
I bet he got rich by corruption and by theft. Now he is "laundering" his money. Tykoon, my arse! A communist kopele! He seems a bit young to be a communist, but I bet his daddy is. His daddy probably robbed Bulgarian government after 1989 and now this jerk is enjoying a luxurious life style.
Author: pk, 1 Apr 2010 08:10:33
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Your 100% right Nellie...
And have to disagree with u DP regarding the years 89-2006-NOBODY got rich due to their hardworking Capitiliitic ideas!
From this day forward U will see the true meaning of succcess thru captilism- so show me a bulgarian NOW who started 2 years ago and is a big success DP!
Their are none...
Author: Chushki, 2 Apr 2010 00:45:03
Controversial Bulgarian Tycoon Ready to Combat Pharma Crimes
Its about time prices in Bulgarian pharmacies were checked and any proposal to do so should be welcomed. Prices are simply outrageous and far higher than one would expect to pay elsewhere in Europe. There is clearly a lot of money being made in selling pharmaceuticals as every other shop in Bulgaria seems to be an APTEKA.
Send to Kindle
