Poland overhauls pharmacy prescription system with new rules

The Polish Ministry of Health has introduced reforms that let patients obtain prescription medicines from any pharmacy rather than being locked to a single outlet. The changes, piloted in Łódź and Kalisz, include a voluntary system for splitting prescriptions across multiple pharmacies and an interactive map to show drug availability, aiming to reduce travel distances and stock‑shortage frustrations.

Alongside the pharmacy reforms, e‑prescriptions now have a standard 30‑day window for dispensing the first pack of medication. If the deadline is missed, pharmacists must reduce the quantity proportionally to the delay, though subsequent packs are not reduced. The e‑prescription replaces paper forms, can be accessed via a four‑digit code, QR code, or the MyIKP app, and different drug categories have specific validity periods ranging from 7 to 365 days.