Poland implements pharmaceutical reforms to manage costs and shortages

Poland's Ministry of Health is implementing significant changes to pharmaceutical management and drug availability. To address rising costs and a growing deficit in the National Health Fund, the Ministry plans to reduce the list of free medications for seniors aged 65 and older. This could involve removing up to 1,500 items from the list if manufacturers do not lower prices for products deemed excessively expensive compared to alternatives with the same active ingredients.

Simultaneously, the government is addressing concerns regarding drug security and supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly the heavy reliance on Asian imports. Public concern remains high, with reports indicating that many patients fear shortages of essential medicines like antibiotics.

To combat the massive scale of pharmaceutical waste—estimated at 3,300 tons annually—the Ministry is also proposing new prescription regulations. These measures aim to prevent patients from stockpiling excessive supplies by introducing limits on the number of days of treatment covered by a single prescription and implementing individual reimbursement accounts.