Poland extends pharmacy‑based emergency contraception pilot, notes rising use and quick fertility return after pills

Poland's Ministry of Health has extended the pharmacy‑based emergency contraception pilot programme until 2028. The scheme, launched in April 2024, allows pharmacists to issue prescriptions for emergency contraception without a doctor’s visit. Official data show that 53,000 people used the service in 2025 and that usage rose by 16 % in the first half of 2026, with 29,052 patients served. In its first year the programme recorded 24,487 pharmacy consultations, 92.3 % of which resulted in a prescription, and the number of dispensed packages increased 34.4 % year‑on‑year. Experts, including Prof. Rafał Stojko of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, argue that the pilot demonstrates the value of pharmacists in improving rapid access to emergency contraception and relieving primary‑care services, while noting procedural barriers that still limit pharmacy participation.

Separate health guidance notes that fertility typically returns quickly after stopping combined oral contraceptive pills. Ovulation may resume in the first natural cycle for many women, and a prolonged waiting period is generally unnecessary. Factors such as age, cycle regularity, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle influence the timing of conception. Medical advice emphasizes monitoring cycles, consulting a gynecologist, taking folic acid, and addressing any health issues before attempting pregnancy.