Poland updates free medication rules for seniors in 2026

The Polish Ministry of Health is implementing changes to the reimbursement list for 2026. While approximately 1,500 commercial products may be removed from the reimbursement list by October 2026, the Ministry states that seniors will not lose access to necessary active substances. Instead, patients will receive free generic equivalents that are equally effective.

The current list of free medications for individuals aged 65 and older includes approximately 3,700 items, covering treatments for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, oncology, and rare diseases. The list has expanded to include more generic drugs, insulins, and treatments for asthma and COPD.

To receive free medication, three criteria must be met: the patient must be at least 65 years old on the date the prescription is issued, the drug must be on the official reimbursement list, and the patient must have a diagnosis for which the drug is registered for reimbursement. Furthermore, the prescription must include the 'S' symbol. If this symbol is missing, pharmacists cannot add it, and the patient must pay the full price. The group of professionals authorized to issue these 'S' symbol prescriptions has expanded to include primary care physicians, specialist outpatient doctors, and authorized primary care nurses.