Poland introduces Lex Szarlatan to combat pseudomedicine

The Polish Ministry of Health is introducing a new law, referred to as ‘Lex Szarlatan’, designed to protect patients from harmful pseudomedical practices and medical disinformation. Under the proposed regulations, the Patient Rights Ombudsman (RPP) will receive expanded powers, including the authority to impose fines of up to 1 million PLN on individuals or organizations that promote unverified treatments as substitutes for scientific medicine.

Deputy Health Minister Katarzyna Kęcka noted that the scale of the fine will depend on the level of threat and the reach of the offender, such as an influencer’s audience. The law also aims to establish a public registry of persons, companies, and domains associated with pseudomedical activities. To support these efforts, the RPP office will be strengthened with six new positions, and NASK will provide assistance in combating online disinformation.

The legislative project has undergone extensive consultation, receiving over 4,700 comments from more than 120 organizations. While the law targets those who falsely attribute medicinal properties to supplements or herbal remedies, officials clarified that the advertising of supplements and traditional herbalism remains legal, provided they are not presented as replacements for proper medical treatment.