Poland tightens health consumer rules with anti‑pseudomedicine law and expanded eyeglass subsidies

The Polish government has approved the so‑called Lex Szarlatan, a law that introduces hefty fines of up to one million zlotys for operators of pseudomedical services such as unproven vitamin drips and biorezonans. The legislation aims to curb a growing market of fraudulent health treatments that exploit patients facing long specialist wait times and rising private‑care costs.

In parallel, the National Health Fund (NFZ) offers reimbursements for prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, potentially covering up to 1 050 zlotys when combined with employer contributions. Eligible patients must obtain a doctor’s prescription, use an NFZ‑contracted optical shop, and adhere to timing rules (once every two years for adults, more often for children). The reforms seek to ease financial barriers to essential vision care while protecting consumers from deceptive medical practices.