Bulgaria has long been known for the quality of its software engineers. Our country has a rich community of experienced programmers and entrepreneurs who easily fit into the dynamic world of technology. However, when it comes to developing and selling software as a service (SaaS) in the domestic market, the reality is more complex.
The level of interest in modern software solutions in our country is still relatively low. Many companies – including in critical sectors such as healthcare – continue to work with old, cumbersome systems that slow down processes and limit innovation opportunities. Despite this, the potential for change exists. The transition will be slow, but not impossible.
From Experience to Solution: How Pharm Reminder Was Born
My name is Dimitar Mitov, and I've been developing software since 2009. I had the opportunity to work on various projects in foreign companies and participate in the development of hundreds of solutions for different industries. Over time, I accumulated experience that helped me not just build software, but understand how business works and what real problems can be solved with technology.
In early 2022, together with my good friend Ivaylo Gegov, we created Pharm Reminder – a niche SaaS product aimed at the needs of pharmacies in Bulgaria. The software facilitates work with prescribed medications, reminders, and patient communication. In three years, we managed to reach over 100 pharmacies that today use our system to provide better and more organized care.
Three Years of Persistence, Learning, and Small Victories
Building Pharm Reminder wasn't an easy path. For three years, we fought step by step to reach our first 100 clients. This included dozens of meetings, calls, presentations, as well as countless improvements to the software itself, based on real needs from the field.
Selling innovative software in a niche segment like pharmacies in Bulgaria is a real challenge. Many of our potential clients are used to working with old and limited systems, and change is often perceived as a risk rather than an opportunity. But with persistence, human approach, and understanding of the client's business, little by little we began to gain trust.
It's a real pleasure to have such a service at hand in the pharmacy! People who use the notifications really become our regular customers and rely a lot on the SMS messages. Every time they come in and say "I received an SMS and I'm coming for my medications!", which creates a pleasant and even friendly relationship with them.
— Tsvetina Daskalova, MPharm - client of Pharm Reminder
We learned that creating a product is only half the battle – the real work begins when you need to explain, demonstrate, and prove its value in the client's daily life. This requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to step back to take the next step forward.
The Role of Software in Modern Healthcare
Healthcare is a sector where well-built software saves lives – literally. In many cases, even the simplest functionalities – such as medication reminders or notifications for expiring prescriptions – have a real effect on people's health.
Since we started using Pharm Reminder, our communication with patients has improved significantly – they appreciate the monthly reminders and feel reassured knowing that their prescriptions and medications are ready.
— Mihail Dimitrov, MPharm - client of Pharm Reminder
Software solutions facilitate communication between pharmacists, doctors, and patients, save time, minimize errors, and ensure better traceability. Examples include electronic records, automated notifications for adverse drug interactions, and inventory management systems that reduce the risk of shortages of important medications.
In Bulgaria, however, many pharmacies and medical facilities continue to use outdated, slow-working systems that limit the possibility of timely care. This is where the huge potential for innovation lies through modern, specialized software developed according to the real needs of the sector.
Artificial Intelligence: The Next Step in Health Transformation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already beginning to change how we think about medicine. In countries with developed healthcare, AI systems are used for analyzing medical images, predicting chronic conditions, and personalizing treatment plans based on vast amounts of data.
In the daily life of pharmacies and outpatient care, AI can help with:
- analysis of drug interactions and automatic warnings;
- predicting needs for specific medications;
- supporting patients through intelligent chatbots or reminder systems.
In Bulgaria, this transition is still in its early stages, but the opportunities are real. I believe that small, agile teams with a deep understanding of a specific problem – like ours with Pharm Reminder – will be the engine of change. Because the big transformation doesn't start with a large-scale state strategy, but with small solutions that work well at the local level.
Appeal to Young Programmers and Entrepreneurs
If you're a young programmer or entrepreneur hesitating whether to start your own product – start. Even if it's small, even if it's niche, even if conditions aren't perfect – launch. Software as a service isn't just a business model – it's a way to solve real problems.
Think pragmatically. Ship fast, fail fast. Release the first version as quickly as possible. Don't wait for it to be "perfect" – it's more valuable to get feedback from real users and adapt. Every failure brings a lesson. Every small success gives direction.
Don't wait for it to become easy. Don't wait for the market to mature. Start now and mature together with it.
And if at times the progress feels slow or invisible—let me show you something:
1001 commits on GitHub. Each one a small step forward, a quiet contribution toward something bigger.
Much like the stories from One Thousand and One Nights, where each evening brought a new tale, each line of code, each button, each line of documentation can be part of a story—one that, when told well, has the power to change the world.
For me, it was 1001 commits over 1001 nights. A modern kind of storytelling—through code, persistence, and purpose.